55 episodes

The Grinders Table Podcast is your opportunity to sit at the table with entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders who are shaking things up in their industry.

Each week Uwem will interview these amazing thought-leaders to uncover how they've done it and learn something new in the process. Join me on the regular to hear how they dared to defy the odds and live their own success story... or epic failure!

The Grinders Table Uwem Uwemakpan

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 27 Ratings

The Grinders Table Podcast is your opportunity to sit at the table with entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders who are shaking things up in their industry.

Each week Uwem will interview these amazing thought-leaders to uncover how they've done it and learn something new in the process. Join me on the regular to hear how they dared to defy the odds and live their own success story... or epic failure!

    The African startup landscape, a conversation with Oo Nwoye (Part 2)

    The African startup landscape, a conversation with Oo Nwoye (Part 2)

    In the second part of my conversation with Oo Nwoye on The Grinders Table, we shift our focus to venture capital, innovation, and the global tech landscape. Oo shares his insights on how venture capital can effectively support startups, the importance of domain expertise in angel investing, and the risks of providing too much capital too early.



    We also discuss the evolution of startup funding and the ethical considerations for founders in managing investor relationships.

    • 35 min
    The African startup landscape, a conversation with Oo Nwoye (Part 1)

    The African startup landscape, a conversation with Oo Nwoye (Part 1)

    This week, I had the honour of hosting Oo Nwoye at The Grinders Table. Oo stands out as a key figure in Africa's startup ecosystem, providing advisory services to startups and serving as an exceptional source of deal flow for investors interested in the continent.



    He shared so much that I split the conversation into two episodes. We dive deep into his fascinating entrepreneurial journey in this first part of our conversation. We explore his personal background and the early career experiences that shaped his unique path. We'll discuss the significance of networking in the tech industry and uncover the importance of building genuine relationships for fundraising success.



    We'll also delve into the social media habits of founders, the challenges in maintaining an online persona, and how to navigate the complex landscape of social media work culture.



    Join us for this exciting exploration of entrepreneurial beginnings and the power of networking.

    • 37 min
    Building an Integrated Life with Kanini Mutooni

    Building an Integrated Life with Kanini Mutooni

    Today, we're celebrating International Women's Day by revisiting one of our favourite episodes. Joining me is the remarkable Kanini Matooni, a voice that resonates with empowerment and inspiration. In this episode, we dive into Kanini's journey, her challenges, and the triumphs that define the essence of womanhood. So, whether you're a long-time listener or joining us for the first time, sit back and let's honour the spirit of women everywhere with this special conversation.

    • 23 min
    Scaling E-Commerce in Africa: Insights from Jumia's Ex CEO - Massimiliano Spalazzi

    Scaling E-Commerce in Africa: Insights from Jumia's Ex CEO - Massimiliano Spalazzi

    In this episode of the Grinders Table podcast, we're excited to feature Massimiliano Spalazzi, the former CEO of Jumia Nigeria and Group Executive VP Marketplace at Jumia. Join us as Massi shares his remarkable journey of being one of the first employees at Jumia and playing a pivotal role in the company's inception in Nigeria in 2012. Massi opens up about the exhilarating experience of starting a company from the ground up, launching into different markets, managing various verticals, and ultimately achieving the milestone of becoming the first African tech internet company to list on the New York Stock Exchange.

    Listeners will get a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of Jumia, including the challenges and high-pressure environment that come with building a brand destined to scale across multiple markets. Massi reflects on working closely with the initial co-founders Tunde and Rafael in Lagos and the evolution of Jumia from its initial websites to the renowned brand it is today.

    Tune in for an insightful conversation filled with valuable stories and learnings from a key player in the growth of Africa's e-commerce ecosystem.

    • 27 min
    Redefining Tourism Through Technology with David Gonahasa

    Redefining Tourism Through Technology with David Gonahasa

    Join us on an inspiring journey as David Gonahasa, Founder of Tripessa, takes us from his early beginnings on the streets of Uganda to revolutionizing the tourism sector with RoundBob, and now Tripessa. His narrative is not just one of success, but of resilience, as he navigates the trials of pioneering internet ventures and leadership roles in a pan-African enterprise.



    David also shares invaluable insights on leadership, building teams, and attracting supporters for a new venture. Plus, we get a glimpse into the personal side of entrepreneurship, including the vital support of spouses and the importance of maintaining a moral compass.

    • 33 min
    Breaking Barriers and Building Networks: A Conversation with June Angelides MBE

    Breaking Barriers and Building Networks: A Conversation with June Angelides MBE

    In this episode of the Grinders Table podcast, I sit down with June Angelides MBE, a trailblazer and advocate for diversity in the startup ecosystem.



    June is the founding partner at Levare Ventures which backs early-stage startups across E-commerce, Fintech, Healthtech, Future of Work and B2B Saas across sub-saharan Africa. She has invested across Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Ghana. She also invests in European startups with Samos Investments.



    June shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Lagos to studying economics in London, and how she found her passion for supporting female founders and breaking down barriers in the tech industry.



    June's story is one of resilience and determination as she navigated different industries, from working in finance to founding a child-friendly coding school for moms. She opens up about the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned along the way, including the importance of authenticity, building meaningful relationships, and embracing failure.



    June also delves into the power of networking, the value of curiosity, and the importance of creating opportunities for others. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to make a difference in the world.



    Timestamps:


    00:00:00 Introduction


    00:00:15 June's background and journey to the UK


    00:02:02 Joining Silicon Valley Bank and learning the world of startups


    00:03:16 Founding Moms-in-Tech and the challenges of building a business


    00:05:57 Transitioning to Venture Capital


    00:06:30 Investing in Africa and the exciting startup ecosystem


    00:08:46 Overcoming challenges and staying motivated


    00:11:28 Motivating others and building a strong network


    00:14:46 The importance of authenticity and storytelling


    00:18:18 Addressing the lack of capital for diverse founders


    00:23:05 The role of female investors in allocating capital


    00:26:12 Learning to swim and the power of networking

    • 36 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
27 Ratings

27 Ratings

J. Kelleyi ,

Podcast

I've learned so much from this podcast about business leadership and management.

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