In this episode of the Startup Leap, Yvonne and Maria sit down with Timbo, the founder of OkHi, a startup rethinking smart addressing for emerging markets.

Despite 90% of the world being covered by Google Maps, four billion people lack a formal addressing system.

Timbo details his journey from working at Google to experiencing firsthand the massive addressing issues in Africa, which led him to launch OkHi. He discusses the challenges of starting a business in a new market, the importance of understanding and validating the problem, and the crucial pivot OkHi made during COVID-19 to target financial services in Nigeria.

Timbo also shares insights on building a strong team, defining company culture, and conveying a compelling vision to investors. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about tackling a global problem and the relentless drive to make a meaningful impact.

00:00 Introduction to the Addressing Problem

00:33 Guest Introduction: Timbo's Mission

01:10 The Birth of OkHi

01:36 Timbo's Journey and Early Challenges

04:29 Validating the Problem and Building the Team

06:55 Early Prototyping and Market Insights

08:47 Navigating Tech Infrastructure and Challenges

11:05 Naming OkHi and Securing the Domain

14:21 Securing Initial Funding and Investor Relations

20:02 Product Development and Market Adaptation

25:02 Balancing Technical Focus and Customer Needs

26:18 Transitioning Business Models: From Consumer to Financial Services

27:59 Building Strong Customer Relationships

29:31 Navigating Investor Relations and Market Creation

30:46 The Power of Storytelling in Business

32:46 Overcoming Challenges and Pivots

35:55 Regulatory Hurdles and Market Validation

38:09 Cultivating Company Culture and Values

46:22 Key Learnings and Reflections

49:16 Future Aspirations and Closing Thoughts

🎧 Don’t miss this important conversation perfect for big tech operators looking to learn from Timbo’s journey.

👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert startup advice!

📩 Have questions? Drop them in the comments – we’d love to keep the conversation going! Want to suggest a topic for us to cover, tell us in the comments!

Have a founder dilemma you want us to answer on the show, tell us here-> https://bit.ly/tslquestions

🔗 Join The Startup Leap Community: https://subscribe.thestartupleap.io

Youtube: https://youtu.be/emHznIRAxMU

#StartupSuccess #Entrepreneurship #GoogleAlumni #TechForGood #FinancialInclusion #AfricanStartups #ProductManagement #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #Fintech