Ire Aderinokun is an investor, entrepreneur, and software engineer with a decade of experience building and backing technology ventures in frontier markets.
As an invited Google Expert in Web Technologies specialising in the core user interface technologies of HTML, CSS, and Javascript, Ire has authored widely-read technical content and spoken at dozens of conferences around the world. She co-founded Helicarrier, a Y Combinator-backed blockchain company for Africa that built some of the continent’s earliest crypto-fintech products, and is passionate about how technology can support global financial inclusion.
Ire Aderinokun on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iaderinokun/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ire.ade/
X: https://x.com/ireaderinokun
We cover:
- Building Her First Website at 13
- The Pressure of Running a Startup
- Becoming Nigeria's First Female Google Developer Expert
- The Critical Role Feminist Coalition Played During ENDSARS
Timestamps:
(00:00) - Coming Up
(01:30) - Three Professional Buckets
(03:03) - Evolving Interests
(04:31) - Earliest Childhood Memories
(05:31) - Building Her First Website at 13
(08:14) - Education and Career Decisions
(12:09) - Influences and Values from Family
(15:24) - First Job and Internships
(17:54) - Transitioning into Tech Roles
(19:39) - Joining Big Cabal as Head of Technology
(22:49) - The Role of Writing in Career Development
(25:31) - Bit of Code
(27:07) - Self-Taught Developer Experience
(29:47) - Navigating Self-Learning in Tech
(32:31) - Becoming the First Nigerian Female Google Developer Expert
(35:13) - The Imposter Syndrome Feeling
(38:05) - Benefits of Being a GDE
(40:13) - Any more Nigerian Female GDEs?
(41:12) - The Journey into Entrepreneurship
(42:35) - Founding Helicarrier (Bitkoin Africa) & The Love for Crypto
(45:07) - Role Designation at Bitkoin Africa
(46:51) - Experiences at Y Combinator
(48:39) - Transitioning from Engineer to Founder
(51:13) - The Responsibility & Pressure of Running a Startup
(52:53) - Challenges of Founding a Company
(56:30) - Is Building Helicarrier Your Proudest Achievement?
(57:39) - The Feminist Coalition and the Role it Played During ENDSARS
(01:01:06) - The Iconic ENDSARS Logo
(01:02:03) - What Makes an Outstanding Speaker
(01:04:24) - The Journey Back to School
(01:10:13) - Lessons from the MBA Experience
(01:11:49) - The Value of an MBA for Founders
(01:13:05) - Exploring Future Ventures
(01:15:17) - Supporting Future Founders
(01:18:18) - Advice for Female Founders
(01:19:27) - If You Only Knew Questions
------------------------------------
About Roots & Wings PodcastRoots & Wings is an intimate interview-style YouTube podcast that explores the personal journeys and transformative experiences of remarkable individuals across diverse fields.
The podcast, hosted by Dayo Koleowo, delves beyond achievements to uncover the foundations that ground people (their roots) and the elements that propel them in life (their wings).
Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootsnwingspodcast
Follow Us on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@rootsnwingspodcast
Follow Us on X - https://x.com/rootsnwingspod?s=21
Connect with Dayo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natekorl/
Follow Dayo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natekorl
Join Our Community - https://tr.ee/x80B-A4ogN
------------------------------------
Please let us know where you are watching and listening from in the comments section. If you love this episode, please like and follow so you're notified when the next one drops. Thanks for your support!
With a 15-year career in finance, tech, and venture capital, June Angelides, MBE, brings a deep expertise across product development, business strategy, and talent management. As an investor at Samos Investments, she leads early-stage investments in pioneering European startups like Lick, Ruka Hair, and Jude. She also founded Levare Ventures, an African-focused investment syndicate supporting pre-seed ventures across Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa.
June Angelides on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juneangelidesmbe/
June Angelides on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juneangelides?igsh=b3l1ajZmMzdmZzZr
June Angelides on X: https://x.com/juneangelides?s=21
Timestamps:
(00:00) Coming Up
(01:32) Growing Up in Yaba & Early Childhood Memories
(05:39) Family Influences: Mum and Grandma
(11:25) Uncle Ben's Influence
(14:01) Was There Pressure to be an Entrepreneur?
(14:56) Moving to the UK
(16:20) Studying Economics
(17:39) First Job out of University: Thompson Financial
(19:29) No Clue on Current Trajectory
(20:55) Joining Silicon Valley Bank
(23:35) Love for VC
(25:13) The Entrepreneur First Story
(28:30) Empowering Mums: Starting Mums in Tech
(37:45) Challenges and Achievements in Scaling Mums in Tech
(40:45) Navigating the Tough Decisions of Entrepreneurship
(47:39) Transitioning to Venture Capital: Samos Ventures
(50:18) Learning a lot about Angel Investing
(51:40) First Angel Investment: Blue Money
(53:16) What it Takes to Raise Capital from June
(57:24) Finding Purpose and Advocacy
(01:00:20) Reminding Yourself of Your Purpose
(01:05:05) The Importance of Self-Care and Support Systems
(01:08:53) Investing in African Founders: Levare
(01:16:13) Difference Between being a VC, Angel & Syndicate
(01:16:59) Future Aspirations and Global Opportunities
(01:18:55) Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders
(01:20:53) If You Only Knew
------------------------------------
About Roots & Wings Podcast
Roots & Wings is an intimate interview-style YouTube podcast that explores the personal journeys and transformative experiences of remarkable individuals across diverse fields. The podcast, hosted by Dayo Koleowo, delves beyond achievements to uncover the foundations that ground people (their roots) and the elements that propel them in life (their wings).
Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootsnwingspodcast
Follow Us on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@rootsnwingspodcast
Follow Us on X - https://x.com/rootsnwingspod?s=21
Connect with Dayo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natekorl/
Follow Dayo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natekorl
Join Our Community - https://tr.ee/x80B-A4ogN
------------------------------------
Please let us know where you are watching & listening from in the comments section. If you love this episode, please like and follow so you're notified when the next one drops. Thanks for your support!
About Blessing Abeng
Blessing Abeng is a branding and communications expert. She was the CMO and co-founder of Disha, a digital tech startup, that caught the attention of an African Unicorn, Flutterwave, leading to a successful acquisition. She was also the co-founder and Director of Communications at Ingressive for Good, driving the mission of the edtech nonprofit to create and increase the earning potential of African youth through tech training and resources, thereby fostering the growth of the African startup ecosystem.
Blessing Abeng on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blessingabeng_
Blessing Abeng on X: https://x.com/blessingabeng_
Timestamps
00:00 - Coming Up
01:12 - Introducing Blessing Abeng
02:22 - The Journey to Co-Founding Disha
05:56 - Disha's Unique Selling Point
07:50 - Decision Process to Join Disha
10:03 - Blessing's Experience Building Disha
13:26 - The Acquisition by Flutterwave
17:43 - Blessing's Early Life
23:52 - Influences Growing Up
27:06 - Blessing's Upbringing
30:51 - Values Instilled by Parents
37:01 - Defining Excellence and Its Importance
42:41 - The Journey from Biochemistry to Branding
57:34 - Demystifying Branding and Its Relevance
01:03:47 - Uwem's Influence
01:06:01 - Meeting Seth Godin & His Influence
01:11:06 - Relationship with Parminder Vir
01:13:29 - Lemi Ghariokwu
01:17:21 - Building Ingressive for Good
01:23:01 - Branding and Communication Insights
01:28:44 - Future Aspirations and New Ventures
------------------------------------
About Roots & Wings Podcast
Roots & Wings is an intimate interview-style YouTube podcast that explores the personal journeys and transformative experiences of remarkable individuals across diverse fields.
The podcast, hosted by Dayo Koleowo, delves beyond achievements to uncover the foundations that ground people (their roots) and the elements that propel them in life (their wings).
Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootsnwingspodcast
Follow Us on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@rootsnwingspodcast
Follow Us on X - https://x.com/rootsnwingspod
Join Our Community - https://tr.ee/x80B-A4ogN
------------------------------------
Please let us know where you are watching from in the comments section. Thanks for watching and for your support!