Posts in Uncategorized

2024 LinkedIn Rewind by Coauthor

In 2024, I discovered that reinvention isn’t just about changing direction – it’s about having the courage to bring your whole story.

When I shared my story about having a “toxic relationship with entrepreneurship” early this year, I didn’t expect it to become a transformation catalyst. Yet here we are, with Kintrace officially incorporated and a community of 3,000+ followers joining our mission to ensure no story is lost.

Key moments that shaped our journey:

→ Successfully completed the Communitech Startup Bootcamp
→ Spoke at the 1st UN Tourism Africa & Americas Summit
→ Advanced through the MBET program at the University of Waterloo
→ Built Kintrace from concept to incorporated company
→ Grew LinkedIn community by 150% (mostly on days when nothing seemed to happen)

Three posts that resonated deeply with our community:

“Toxic Relationship with Entrepreneurship”
On the courage to start again in a new country
“After over a decade of hard work, I was exhausted. I felt like I had little to show for it regarding success…”
https://lnkd.in/gGPtC8sR

“Loss, Love, and Legacy”
On honoring my father’s memory through purposeful work
“My father was the embodiment of integrity, compassion, and strength…”
https://lnkd.in/gGNK7MG9

“KintraceAI is Now Officially Incorporated!”
On persistence leads to momentum
“Through consistency, I managed to grow by over 150% followers this year…”
https://lnkd.in/g6AM9dpf

Looking ahead: 2025 is about scaling Kintrace’s impact while staying true to our mission – helping families preserve their stories and cultural heritage. We’re not just building a platform; we’re creating a legacy.

To every immigrant carrying their story across borders, to every entrepreneur rebuilding after setbacks, and to my father whose legacy guides every step – our stories matter. They deserve to be preserved, shared and celebrated.

Join us: www.kintrace.ai

Graduation Day

After an incredible 6 weeks, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve completed the Communitech #StartupBootcamp! The journey concluded with Storytelling Pitches to an amazing panel of experts:
  • Steve Currie, VP at Graphite Ventures
  • Andrew Moss, Founder of Circle of Impact Community
  • Ellen Johnson, Founder Success Manager, Communitech
  • Matthew Robertson, Director of Capital Services, Communitech

From pitching KintraceAI at the University of Waterloo (8 pitches, 10 minutes each) to this 3-minute, no-slides challenge. I’ve grown immensely (even if I went 6 seconds over 👀).

The bootcamp was a game-changer, thanks to:
✅ Top-notch programming and curriculum
✅ Brilliant growth coaches and advisors
✅ Unparalleled support from Communitech

Special thanks to Angela Bruce and Justine Leblanc for their stellar leadership, and to my incredible cohort—you’ve set the bar high!

💡 Can’t wait for our January pitch event with family and friends. Stay tuned!

Here’s to building community and pushing boundaries. Here’s to Communitech! 🙌

A Week of Loss, Love, and Legacy

This past week was one of the most challenging times in my life, filled with both deep sorrow and unexpected moments of hope.

Sunday morning brought the heartbreaking news of my dad’s passing. Even in grief, life continued. I completed a group presentation on Tuesday, drawing strength from the values my father taught me.

   

On Wednesday, I attended Communitech Week 2. Charles Plant shared new ways to measure market sizing, and Heather Galt talked about identifying the ideal customer profile. The day’s highlight was meeting Kitchener’s mayor, Berry Vrbanovic. He told me, “I have an Ayo on my team,” referring to Ayo Owodunni. Funny enough, this was the second mayor I’ve met while wearing this turtleneck – maybe it’s my lucky outfit.

  

Yesterday, my brother achieved something incredible – earning his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering and Construction Management from the University of Derby. His success reflects the hard work and sacrifice our dad always inspired in us.

Sitting here, my heart feels heavy with loss but full of gratitude. My father embodied integrity, compassion, and strength. Knowing him meant understanding what it truly means to live with purpose.

November will always be the month we lost him, but also the month we celebrate his amazing life and legacy.

Thank you for everything, Dad. ❤️

The Rise and Reality of Nigeria’s Tech Hub: A Personal Reflection

Nigeria’s tech ecosystem has come a long way, but its journey reveals triumphs and missed opportunities. I vividly recall the excitement that swept through the tech community when Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani and Femi Longe pioneered a new era in Nigerian tech education by founding Co-creation HUB (CcHUB).

As a young design enthusiast, I was fortunate to receive an invitation to CcHUB’s inaugural hackathon. The hub’s strategic location in Yaba, nestled between two prestigious institutions – Yaba College of Technology and the University of Lagos – seemed perfect for nurturing innovation. The tech world took notice, with industry giants like Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey making landmark visits, validating Nigeria’s emerging position in the global tech landscape.

The “Yaba Effect” was immediate. Startups rushed to establish their presence in the area, driving real estate prices skyward. However, this boom revealed a crucial oversight: despite the surge in business activity, there was minimal investment in sustainable infrastructure and community development.

Thirteen years later, the landscape tells a different story. Many startups that once called Yaba home have either ceased operations or relocated, leaving behind unfulfilled potential. This trajectory reflects a broader challenge in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, as highlighted in a recent feature with University of Waterloo alumnus Iyinoluwa Aboyeji.

The Path Forward

While encouraging, the occasional startup launches, funding rounds, and exits aren’t enough to drive transformational growth in Nigeria’s tech economy. The key to leaping into the future lies in our tertiary institutions stepping up to play a more significant role in tech development.

From my observations, discussions about impact and vision in Nigeria often derail pursuits of personal interests, undermining the broader mission of growth and transformation. For the Nigerian tech ecosystem to truly flourish, we need to shift our focus from individual gains to collective progress.

This isn’t just about creating another tech hub – it’s about building sustainable foundations for long-term growth. The next chapter of Nigeria’s tech story depends on our ability to learn from past experiences and prioritize institutional development over quick wins.