My Innovation Story with Femi Awoniyi

Francis’ story is proof that curiosity isn’t just a trait - it’s a way of life. From participating in student politics and selling punch in university to building businesses, leading initiatives, and discovering his purpose, Francis has always been driven by one thing: turning ideas into impact.In this episode, he opens up about how curiosity led him into entrepreneurship, leadership, and purpose-driven work. He shares how he balanced school with six different ventures, scaled impactful student projects, and how volunteering opened doors into consulting and nation-building.Francis believes you don’t need permission to create change. Innovation starts with ownership, not waiting for the system or blaming the government. This conversation dives deep into taking initiative, building fulfillment through service, and creating the country and future you want to see.If you’ve ever struggled with where to start or felt stuck waiting for opportunity, this episode will challenge you to take action, own your path, and build impact from wherever you are.

In this episode of My Innovation Story, we sit down with a Kenyan serial entrepreneur, Tonee Ndungu, Founder of Tribbe Nation and Kytabu with over 15 years of experience shaping the Fintech and Edtech industries. An AI enthusiast and change-maker, his journey started with an education challenge - growing up with dyslexia. From recording class notes on cassettes to transform his learning, to questioning why traditional education systems aren’t fit for purpose, he shares how technology became the tool that rewired his future. We dive deep into his entrepreneurial mindset, how he built innovative ventures across Africa, and why owning your narrative, curiosity, and resilience are at the heart of creating something meaningful. This episode is for aspiring entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators who are ready to embrace challenges, turn ideas into impact, and redefine what success looks like in Africa and beyond. What you’ll learn in this episode: How technology can help overcome personal and educational challenges. The importance of self-belief in shaping your journey. Why today’s education system needs restructuring. Building businesses in Fintech, Edtech, and beyond. Why curiosity and consistency are key to success. The realities of entrepreneurship: resilience, vision, and grit #FounderJourney #AfricanEntrepreneurs ##EdTech #Education #School #OvercomingDyslexia #EntrepreneurLife #FinTechAfrica #InnovationInAfrica #MotivationForEntrepreneurs #LifeLessons #ToneeNdungu #MyInnovationStory

Meet Donawon, the Music Executive & Manager behind grammy award winner, Tems.In this episode, he reveals why music is more than fame - it’s a vehicle for building identity, business, and impact.From avoiding the 9–5 to managing world-class artists, Donawon shares how understanding both creativity and business is the foundation of success in the music industry. He dives into why authenticity matters, how to build a sustainable career in entertainment, and why suffering and refinement shape the best creative entrepreneurs.This is a must-listen for aspiring music executives, entrepreneurs and anyone looking to turn creativity into long-term value.#MusicBusiness #CreativeEntrepreneur #MusicIndustry #ArtistManagement #MusicManager #Tems

Our guest for today is Lola Carboso, Regional CEO, Board Director, and Transformation Leader in Financial Services (Banking, Insurance, FinTech).Lola’s career journey wasn’t linear. She once thought she’d study medicine but quickly realized her true passion was in numbers. From Economics to Finance, she built a path into investment banking. Growing up, Lola traveled widely with her parents, and those global experiences nurtured her love for exploring and helped her understand herself better, what she liked, and what she didn’t.Her most pivotal moment came at Business School in Michigan, where she embraced learning, reorientation, and intentional growth. Through it all, Lola has shown how curiosity, resilience, and enjoying the process can shape not just a career but also a fulfilling life and make you an agent of change.

Babajide’s story isn’t the usual straight-line career path. He was primed to be a doctor, studied Computer Science, and even tried HR but none of it felt right. He knew he could do more. After facing rejection, he sent one bold email that changed everything: “I know the kind of person you’re looking for, and I can become that person.” That risk opened the door to the tech industry and today, Babajide is a Country Manager leading at the highest level. In this conversation, he opens up about resilience, rejection, the power of gratitude, and why attitude can be the difference between missing a promotion and building an entire career. This episode is about making bold decisions, embracing failure as a lesson, and learning how to reinvent yourself when life doesn’t go as planned.0:00 - Intro: Babajide's Unconventional Journey Begins2:30 - The Pressure of Expectations: Pre-Med vs. Passion6:15 - Exploring Computer Science10:00 - Dipping into HR: Recognizing What Doesn't Fit14:45 - The Turning Point: Facing Rejection and Feeling Lost18:30 - The Bold Email23:00 - Breaking into Tech27:45 - The Power of Resilience32:15 - Gratitude as a Driving Force36:00 - Attitude is Everything40:30 - The Path to Country Manager45:00 - Embracing Failure49:15 - Adapting to Change and Growth53:45 - Advice for Aspiring Leaders58:00 - Conclusion: Shaping Your Destiny with Bold DecisionsWatch now, like, comment, subscribe and join the conversation on the future of African innovation.CONNECT WITH US:Instagram - / https://www.instagram.com/myinnovationpod/Twitter - / https://x.com/MyInnovationPodLinkedIn - / https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-innovation-story/Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@myinnovationpod?_t=ZM-8yVvp6g8jED&_r=1#CareerAdvice #BabajideTechIndustry #Resilience #Rejection #Motivation #Inspiration #Leadership #CareerReinvention #PersonalGrowth #SuccessStory

What does it really take to pivot from a global tech giant like Google into the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship in Africa?In this episode, Femi Awoniyi sits down with Sharon, his former colleague at Google, to share the real story behind his journey from leading innovation at Google to wearing the many hats as a founder.Femi opens up about the reality of his transition into entrepreneurship: the benefits, freedoms, but also the roadblocks along the way. He shares lessons on building resilience, his bold vision for scaling investment into Africa through Magna Collective and Vester AI and strategies to strengthen the  investor ecosystem.Femi digs deep into the why behind My Innovation Story. He emphasizes on the importance of  telling African founder stories and how sharing these lessons can help the next generation of entrepreneurs navigate their own journeys.If you’re a founder, innovator, someone who has ever wondered what it takes to adapt when things don’t go as planned, and still build something meaningful, or just someone curious about the future of African business, this episode is a blueprint for understanding yourself, sharpening your strengths, and building sustainably in tough markets.

Join us as we explore the journey of Damilola Teidi, an ecosystem builder with over a decade of experience in Africa's tech space and currently the Head of Platform and Network at Ventures Platform. Dami reflects on her early childhood sparks that led to her passion for tech innovation and recounts her experience of winding down GoMyWay, sharing valuable lessons from the process. We discuss her interactions with various stakeholders, including startups, investors, NGOs, big tech companies, and government bodies, and how these have shaped her perspective on innovation and collaboration. Dami also talks about the pivotal moments in her innovation story, her experiences supporting African startups and more.

In this engaging episode, Kelvin Umechukwu, CEO of Bumpa, takes us through his early childhood experiences that ignited his passion for building things. Kelvin's diverse roles in the tech industry—founder, community lead, accelerator program manager, and business development expert—have uniquely shaped his journey, and he shares how each role has contributed to his current success. We dive into the story behind Bumpa, the inspiration for its creation, and the significant challenges and rewards of growing the company. Kelvin shares intriguing investor horror stories, lessons learned from these encounters, and the pivotal moments in his innovation journey. He also discusses personal growth challenges, triumphs, and invaluable lessons, and what exciting plans he has for the future.

Founder of The People Practice, Toun talks about her passion for understanding and working with people, which fueled her journey of creating a people advisory company. She shares the challenges and rewards of growing the company, the pivotal moments in her innovation story, and her creative pursuits, including writing poems and singing. Toun also reflects on personal growth lessons and gives a preview of what’s next for her.

In this episode, Femi Awoniyi engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Olumide Soyombo, a leading figure in the world of technology and investment. As the co-founder of Bluechip Technologies & Voltron Capital and a driving force in the African tech ecosystem, Olumide delves into how his early experiences with personal computers sparked a lifelong passion for technology and innovation. Join us as Olumide reveals the intricacies of balancing his dual roles as an entrepreneur and investor, offering unique insights into the strategies that have fueled his success. He discusses the critical importance of mentorship and the lessons that have shaped his journey, both of which are highlighted in his memoir, "Vantage." Olumide also reflects on his partnership with co-founder Kazeem, shedding light on the dynamics that define a strong and successful co-founder relationship. Key takeaways: The significance of mentorship in personal and professional growth Navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship and investment Building and maintaining effective co-founder relationships Brought to you by ⁠Magna Collective.