2019 judges
Stephen Bankole
Founder / CEO at Eaven (TryLaunchpad)
Stephen Bankole is the founder and CEO of Eaven (TryLaunchpad), a dynamic leader in Africa’s technology ecosystem. Stephen has a strong background in tech product growth and development, having made significant contributions to a variety of industries such as transportation, fintech, social media, instant messaging, and blockchain technology. His innovative approach and strategic vision have propelled numerous tech products to new heights, fostering advancements that address the African market’s distinct challenges and opportunities. Under his leadership, Eaven has played a critical role in accelerating technological progress and economic growth across the continent. Stephen’s dedication to excellence, as well as his ability to navigate complex technological landscapes, have earned him a reputation as an industry leader.
Rukayat Alli-Oluwafuyi, AIEMA
Senior Associate at Forvis Mazars in Nigeria
Rukayat Alli-Oluwafuyi is a dedicated ESG consultant with a mission to guide businesses through the complexities of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. As a Senior Associate at Forvis Mazars in Nigeria, she focuses on minimizing risks and unlocking opportunities that align with sustainability objectives and drive long-term value creation. With a client-centric approach, Rukayat delivers effective solutions tailored to meet specific client needs. She specializes in crafting comprehensive ESG strategies and implementing risk mitigation measures, ensuring that businesses thrive in a sustainability-focused world. Her commitment to client satisfaction and her expertise in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape make her an invaluable asset.
Olutobi Akande
Business Development | Digital Ad Sales at Boomplay
Olutobi Akande, Boomplay’s Business Development Manager, is in charge of generating leads, closing deals, and increasing revenue for the company’s leading music streaming platform. He has a track record of breaking into complex and large organisations such as telecommunications, banks, and media companies, securing strategic partnerships that drive business growth. Olutobi brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role, having worked in industries as diverse as online media, IT, software development, FMCG, and HR consulting. He is passionate about career counselling and coaching, and he enjoys giving career advice and tips to job seekers and recent graduates, as well as guiding those entering the workforce. His extensive background and commitment to professional development make him an invaluable asset in the business development industry.
Kola A.
Founding Partner, Ventures Platform
Kola Aina is the Founding Partner of Ventures Platform, an early-stage venture capital fund that supports the next generation of African entrepreneurs. Kola has a strong portfolio of high-growth companies, including category-defining startups like Mono, PiggyVest, Reliance HMO, and Paystack, which was acquired by Stripe in 2020. He is also the founder of Ventures Park and the Ventures Platform Foundation, both of which provide support and advocacy to entrepreneurs. Kola also serves on a number of advisory boards and committees, including those focusing on technology and youth employment, and directly advises Nigeria’s President. His interest in ecosystem development and strategic investment in industries such as financial services, healthcare, education, and agriculture make him an invaluable asset.
John-Paul Iwuoha
Chief Business Activator at Activator HQ
John-Paul Iwuoha is a well-known business activator who specialises in accelerating the growth and success of start-ups and growing businesses. With more than a decade of experience, he has assisted numerous entrepreneurs in overcoming complex business challenges, optimising business models, and addressing human capital issues. His expertise includes fundraising, increasing sales, and maximising business potential. John-Paul’s impressive clientele includes major corporations like Total Energies, Nigeria LNG, Maruo Farms, LVPS Medical Centre, SHA Uganda, Kuueza Ghana, Finex Microfinance Bank, Shecluded, AWIEF South Africa, and Connex Forestry DR Congo. His dedication and strategic insights have made him a trusted advisor to many, allowing businesses to reach their full potential and drive long-term growth in a variety of industries and countries.
Ibukun Ogunmola
Founder, Techies Without Code
Ibukun Ogunmola is a dynamic product manager who founded Techies Without Code. She has a diverse skill set, including customer support and retention, content writing, digital marketing strategies, and a thorough understanding of programming languages and frameworks. Ibukun, who is passionate about Web3, is expanding her role as a Web3 content writer, contributing to various publications and sharing her knowledge of decentralised technologies. As a judge at the Lagos Tech Founders Hackathon, she uses her experience to mentor participants, guiding them to develop innovative solutions and effective strategies. Her diverse experience and commitment to the tech community make her an invaluable asset, driving innovation and growth in the ever-changing landscape of technology and digital transformation.
Helen Aduloju ACA, AAT
Semi-Senior Associate, KPMG Nigeria
Helen Aduloju is a highly regarded Semi-Senior Associate in KPMG Nigeria’s Tax division. With about four years of professional experience, she has worked with teams to serve clients in a variety of industries, including energy and natural resources, fintech, agriculture, and sports and betting. Helen has an accounting degree from Yaba College of Technology and Crawford University, and she is a certified Chartered Accountant. Her professional interests focus on transfer pricing, mergers and acquisitions, and core advisory services, demonstrating her dedication to providing strategic tax solutions. Helen’s knowledge and dedication have made her an invaluable asset at KPMG, where she consistently helps clients optimise their tax positions and navigate complex regulatory environments.
Babatunde Akin Moses
Founder/CEO of Sycamore.NG
Babatunde Akin Moses is the visionary founder and CEO of Sycamore.NG, a peer-to-peer lending platform that uses technology to connect lenders and borrowers. At Sycamore, he leads an exceptional team that is researching the use of unconventional data for credit scoring with the goal of financing underserved market segments. Before founding Sycamore, Babatunde gained valuable consulting experience with two of the Big Four accounting firms. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics, is a chartered accountant, and received his MBA from Lagos Business School via an exchange programme with IESE Business School. Babatunde is passionate about business, the economy, policy, and startups, and he is committed to improving Nigeria’s and Africa’s overall prosperity.
Babajide Duroshola
General Manager at M-KOPA
Babajide Duroshola is a seasoned professional who specialises in assisting African entrepreneurs in establishing long-lasting technology-enabled businesses. Babajide is currently the General Manager of M-KOPA Nigeria and has extensive experience in technology, banking, and consulting. His areas of expertise include management, strategy, business operations, expansion, and marketing, as well as a thorough understanding of West and East Africa’s startup and technology ecosystem. Prior to M-KOPA, he oversaw Safeboda’s expansion in Nigeria, starting from the ground up, and worked as a Community Manager at Andela. He has also previously worked at Access Bank and Phillips Consulting. Babajide’s extensive experience and deep knowledge make him an invaluable asset, helping to accelerate the growth and development of technology-driven businesses across the continent.
Ayo Kehinde Samuel
AI Engineer at Clive AI
Ayo Kehinde Samuel is a Microsoft-certified artificial intelligence engineer who is passionate about solving business challenges with innovative AI products. As an AI and Machine Learning engineer at Clive AI, he uses data and AI to drive strategic initiatives, improve operational efficiency, and create competitive advantage. Ayo works with design and development teams to create predictive models that use AI and Big Data Analytics to help businesses make better decisions and grow faster. His exceptional ability to identify needs, drive innovation, and create scalable AI-powered applications has earned him recognition as a Data Science and AI hackathon winner on a global scale. Ayo, which focuses on designing and adopting AI products, is dedicated to advancing the convergence of people, processes, and systems within organisations.