SDC Launchpad

Meet Our Launchers

Our Launchers are a diverse group of passionate entrepreneurs committed to transforming their ideas into impactful startups. Each cohort brings together individuals with unique backgrounds, skills, and visions, united by a shared drive to innovate and create lasting change. Through the SDC Launchpad program, these founders receive the mentorship, resources, and community support needed to navigate the challenges of building a successful business.

5 Cohorts annually
Traction Achievement
Alumni Network
0 Launchers

No Launchers found

Try adjusting your search or filter criteria

Join The Next Cohort

SDC Launchpad takes only 3 cohorts (January, May, and September) in a year, with a maximum of 15 aspiring and first-time founders.

Apply Now
Our Team

Meet the the Venture Partners

SDCs team comprises seasoned entrepreneurs, curriculum developers, venture builders, and ecosystem experts with deep knowledge of the African startup landscape. Supported by a Pan-African advisory network of over 50 mentors, operators, and investors, SDC ensures every program is both theoretically sound and practically relevant.

WISDOM JOHN ESQ

WISDOM JOHN ESQ

Multi-disciplinary Expert

WISDOM JOHN ESQ

Multi-disciplinary Expert

Wisdom is a skilled Business and Transaction Lawyer with expertise in Tech Law, Legal Compliance, and Legal Education. As the Lead of Lawgic Africa, he offers legal advisory, compliance, legal risk management, and general legal education to professionals and startups.
Oluwatobi Kola-Sodipo CXAC (Cert)

Oluwatobi Kola-Sodipo CXAC (Cert)

Principal Partner & Founder

Oluwatobi Kola-Sodipo CXAC (Cert)

Principal Partner & Founder

Customer Experience Consulting | Local Partner to Sandsiv (Voice of Customer Solution Provider) | Development and Training | CX Speaker. A dedicated Hospitality and Customer Experience professional, she has a proven track record in diverse industries. Her experience with multinational companies has focused on enhancing customer satisfaction, resolving issues, and driving business productivity.
Luke Ndatigh

Luke Ndatigh

Operations professional and entrepreneur

Luke Ndatigh

Operations professional and entrepreneur

Luke is a versatile Operations Professional and Entrepreneur. With experience in software engineering, SRE, business development, and operations strategy, he has a proven track record in business process re-engineering. He is adept at crisis, change, operations, and risk management, as well as business valuation methods.Luke holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science and is currently pursuing an MBA. His diverse experience makes him a valuable asset for organizations seeking to optimize their operations and drive growth.
Seye Kolawole

Seye Kolawole

Investment and Portfolio Manager

Seye Kolawole

Investment and Portfolio Manager

Seye Kolawole is an investment and strategy professional with 8 years’ experience across the investment landscape, spanning investment management, buy-side, and sell-side M&A advisory, capital raises and due diligence mandates, public sector investment advisory and corporate development. She is currently an Investment and Portfolio Manager at Aruwa Capital, where she is responsible for deal origination, execution, fundraising and value creation initiatives across the portfolio.
Anthony Obidike

Anthony Obidike

Solicitor

Anthony Obidike

Solicitor

Anthony is a Corporate attorney, qualified to practice in Nigeria. He provides legal advisory services to companies on the intersection of law, technology, and finance. He is well experienced in Finance, Technology, Private equity and Employment Law.
Tim Obafemi FCA, FCTI, FIMC

Tim Obafemi FCA, FCTI, FIMC

Managing Partner & Head of Wealth

Tim Obafemi FCA, FCTI, FIMC

Managing Partner & Head of Wealth

Tim is a seasoned finance and investment expert with nearly two decades of experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, specializing in financial analytics, fund management, strategy, and business process re-engineering. He is a chartered accountant, certified tax practitioner, and Certified Management Specialist from the London Graduate School, holding fellowships in multiple professional bodies.
Robert John

Robert John

Chief Data Officer

Robert John

Chief Data Officer

Robert is a seasoned data scientist with over a decade of experience in database management, enterprise software development, data engineering, visualization, and Machine Learning. He is recently delved into embedded systems and TinyML, excited about their potential for widespread adoption in Africa.
Head of Growth and Marketing

Head of Growth and Marketing

Chief Data Officer

Head of Growth and Marketing

Chief Data Officer

Damilola Robert is a dynamic Growth & marketing professional with a track record of success in the fields of marketing, growth, and Partnership. A graduate of Economics from the prestigious University of Ilorin, Damilola has a wealth of experience and a proven ability to drive growth and strategic marketing initiatives across the B2C and B2B market. Currently serving as the Head of Growth and Marketing at Bitnob, Damilola plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the company. Before his time at Bitnob, Damilola Robert led the Growth team at mDoc across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. Damilola also has a solid foundation in the advertising industry, with seven years of experience in integrated marketing communication. He has managed brands like Nokia, Samsung, UBA, Nigerian brewery, MTN and many more.
Adefolajuwon Ijaiya

Adefolajuwon Ijaiya

Adefolajuwon Ijaiya

Adefolajuwon Ijaiya is a seasoned Investment Professional with experience in building early-stage startups. His core expertise lies in Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Venture Capital. As a Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA®), he possesses a deep understanding of Financial Data Analysis within the Venture Capital context.
	Ismail Olasunkanmi

Ismail Olasunkanmi

Multi Roles

Ismail Olasunkanmi

Multi Roles

He is a passionate technology leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and scaling high-growth startups across Africa. As CTO at Future Africa, he has evaluated and supported numerous startups, contributing significantly to the portfolios impressive performance. Olasunkanmis expertise spans full-stack development, cloud infrastructure, and strategic technology planning. He is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of tech talent and has mentored hundreds of learners.
Udori Ekpin

Udori Ekpin

IT professional

Udori Ekpin

IT professional

He is an IT professional with a strong interest in behavioral economics and building products for emerging markets. Currently, Ekpin works as an Engineer at a prominent Financial Technology company in Nigeria.
Tayo Sowole

Tayo Sowole

IT professional

Tayo Sowole

IT professional

He is a business leader with nearly 15 years of experience spanning multiple functions. He excels at building highly effective and well-aligned sales, operations, marketing, and customer success teams. Sowoles professional journey includes impactful tenures at companies such as ULesson Education, Miva Open University, SeamlessHR, Bento Africa, and Dealdey. He has also consulted for numerous African SaaS and e-commerce firms, contributing significantly to their growth and success.
Abiola Oshunniyi

Abiola Oshunniyi

Health and Sustainability Consultant

Abiola Oshunniyi

Health and Sustainability Consultant

He is a seasoned Health and Sustainability Consultant with nearly two decades of experience advising global stakeholders. Her expertise lies in developing innovative strategies, driving sustainable growth, developing capacity, and building strong partnerships. Oshunniyi has successfully designed, led, and supported complex multi-million-dollar projects funded by renowned organizations. Her work has spanned various regions, enhancing health security, strengthening systems, and promoting sustainable practices. She is passionate about contributing to global health security, socioeconomic, and sustainability initiatives.
Essein Etuk

Essein Etuk

Business Growth Expert

Essein Etuk

Business Growth Expert

He is a dynamic operations leader with over a decade of experience driving business growth and expansion. He specializes in transforming logistics, procurement, and supply chain operations, implementing strategic initiatives that improve operational efficiency and cultivate partnerships. With a keen eye for market trends, Etuk leads diverse teams in adopting innovative technology solutions, enabling them to navigate complex challenges with agility. His commitment lies in delivering outstanding results while positioning organizations for sustainable expansion

Want to join our mission of transforming Africa's startup ecosystem?

Join Our Faculty

Our Values

The principles that guide everything we do and shape our commitment to transforming Africa's entrepreneurial landscape.

Innovation

We foster creative thinking and cutting-edge solutions to transform ideas into impactful startups.

Community

Building a supportive ecosystem where founders, partners, and mentors collaborate for mutual success.

Impact

Creating meaningful change in Africa's entrepreneurial landscape through education and mentorship.

Excellence

Maintaining the highest standards in startup education and founder development programs.

Ready to be part of our mission?

Join thousands of entrepreneurs who have transformed their ideas into thriving businesses with SDC Startup School.

OUR AMAZING PARTNERS
Brand DriveAmazon Web ServicesDatamellonCloudPlexoSendPulseSprintsBrand DriveAmazon Web ServicesDatamellonCloudPlexoSendPulseSprints