The Builders Summit 2025: Momentum

Friday, May 23 2025

Balmoral Convention Center, Victoria Island, Lagos

Momentum is the driving force behind innovation, success, and transformation. The 2025 Builders Summit channels this energy to fuel growth, collaboration, and groundbreaking solutions. This one-day summit will bring together and empower brilliant innovators, professionals and creatives to turn ideas into actions and scale with purpose.

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Headline Sponsors

1500+

Attendees across Africa

20+

Top Speakers

15+

Exhibitors

Pitch Competition

Content Sessions

Full Day!

Associate Sponsor

Speakers

Mitchel Elegbe

Group Managing Director, Interswitch

Damilola Tiedi

Head, Platform & Networks, Ventures Platform

Nora Awolowo

Filmmaker and Founder, Rixel Studios

Fu'ad Lawal

Founder of Archivi.ng

Njoku Emmanuel

Co-founder of Metastable Labs, Co-founded Lazerpay

Tomiwa Aladekomo

CEO, Big Cabal Media

Hasan Luongo

General Partner at Resilience17

Ireayo Oladunjoye

Managing Director, Endeavor

Peace Itimi

Chief Storyteller

Mohammed Ben Halim

Partner, Ingressive Capital

Babatunde Akin-Moses

Founder and CEO, Sycamore

Mitchel Elegbe

Group Managing Director, Interswitch

Damilola Tiedi

Head, Platform & Networks, Ventures Platform

Nora Awolowo

Filmmaker and Founder, Rixel Studios

Fu'ad Lawal

Founder of Archivi.ng

Njoku Emmanuel

Co-founder of Metastable Labs, Co-founded Lazerpay

Tomiwa Aladekomo

CEO, Big Cabal Media

Hasan Luongo

General Partner at Resilience17

Ireayo Oladunjoye

Managing Director, Endeavor

Peace Itimi

Chief Storyteller

Mohammed Ben Halim

Partner, Ingressive Capital

Babatunde Akin-Moses

Founder and CEO, Sycamore

Fisayo Fosudo

Visual storyteller and Video producer

Seye Bandele

Co-founder and CEO of PaidHR

Kehinde Olateru

CEO, Zero Complex AI

Wale Lawal

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, The Republic

David Adeleke

Founder, Communique

David Adeyemi

Managing Editor, Condia

Joyce Imiegha

Founder, Renee PR

Ebuka ObI

Founder & CEO of Autogon AI

Douglas Kendyson

Founder & CEO, Selar

Nubi Kay

Startup Programs Lead, Paystack

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What to expect

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Masterclasses, Keynote and Panel sessions

from world-class speakers and industry experts

Networking Opportunities

to connect you with entrepreneurs, professionals, and potential partners

Exhibitions

showcasing products and services from Nigeria's thriving tech ecosystem

Pitch2Win

for early-stage founders to compete for a cash prize and other fantastic perks!

Apply here

Fun Experiences

including games, photobooths, virtual reality and prizes to be won!

Agenda

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Welcome

Speaker: MC

9:30 AM - 9:40 AM

Opening Remarks

Speaker: Peace Itimi

9:40 AM - 9:55 AM

Panel

The Compound Effect: Building Momentum Through Pivots and Persistence

Speaker: Njoku Emmanuel

9:55 AM - 10:35 AM

Fireside Chat

Smart Fundraising in 2025 - How African Founders Can Win in a Tough Market

Speakers: Olumide Soyombo, Damilola Tiedi, Mohamed Ben Halim
Moderator: Nubi Kay/Dapo

10:35 AM - 11:00 AM

Fireside Chat

Launch, Learn, Scale

Speakers: David Adeleke & Peace Itimi

11:10 AM - 11:40 AM

Panel

Mapping the AI Ecosystem - Adoption Patterns Among African Tech Startups

Speaker: Obi Ebuka David (CEO, Autogon Al), Kehinde Olateru (CEO, Zero Complex Al), John Dada (CTO, Curacel), Hasan Luongo (General Partner)

11:40 AM - 12:10 PM

Founders Connect Live Show

Founders Connect Live with Mitchell Eiegbe (CEO, Interswitch)

1:25 PM - 1:40 PM

Keynote

The Best Founders Are great Salespeople - How to Sell Anything.

Speaker: Seye Bandele

1:45 PM - 2:00 PM

Keynote

Why most creators will never make real money--and how to be the exception

Speaker: Fisayo Fosudo

2:00 PM - 2:25 PM

Fireside Chat

The Media Advantage - How Perception Shapes Funding, Hiring & Business Growth

Speakers: Tomiwa BigCabal and JoyceImiegha

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Panel

The Future of African Fintech & Scaling Cross-Border Payments

Speaker: Zap Africa, Raenest and Sentz

3:05 PM - 3:50 PM

Pitch

Pitch Competition

4:05 PM - 4:30 PM

Panel

Unlocking Founder Opportunities for Creative Enterprises

Speakers: Nora Awolowo, Fu'ad, WaleLawal

4:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Keynote

The Story of Selar - Bootstrapped to Scale

Speaker: Douglas Kendyson

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Sponsors and Partners

Headline Sponsors

Associate

Gold

Media Partners

Testimonials

“A day well spent! Amazing people, insightful conversations. Glad to have connected with builders in the tech ecosystem. I loved and enjoyed today. Cheers to building helpful, useful and vibrant communities

Tobi Otokiti, FCLive 2023

“I’m in the house at Founders Connect. It’s a packed house. Bayo Ayodeji, one of my favorite entrepreneurs and operators, is on stage being interviewed by Babajide. Well done to the entire team

Tayo Oviosu, FCLive2023

“The experience of being in the same room with amazing builders in the industry is surely heavenly. The knowledge received in that room can’t be recovered from quickly

Olaleye Adeola, TBS 2024

“I had no business being in Lagos yesterday but I set out to attend The Builders Summit by Founders Connect. The best thing about attending these kinds of events is the opportunity to sit in a room and listen to those who have gone ahead of you, thriving in the spaces you’re walking into

Stacy Ketiku, TBS 2024

“Platforms like The Builders Summit by Founders Connect are important for the growth of the Tech and Creators ecosystem in Africa. Real, genuine and timely conversations with real people, real stories and valid case studies

Vincent Anani, TBS 2024

“Attended the first ever Founders Connect Live event and it was a game-changer. The energy, the insights and the connections made were truly remarkable. Grateful to be part of such an inspiring community of entrepreneurs

Arinze Ibegbu, FCLive2023

“What made Founders Connect live so successful is the niche it caters for. It was for people like me - Founders who want guidance, future operators who want to hear from those who have done it

Timi, FCLive2023

“I love the FC Live experience. All the talks were coated with so much value of indelible impact. Being a music person, I was really enthralled by the life music band concept (didn’t see that coming). I also love the items in the merch bag

Ifeoluwa Awowoye, FCLive2023

Pitch your startup for a chance to win equity-free funding, unlock exclusive perks, and connect with leading investors.

Apply here

In the News

Techcabal

Founders Connect Live Returns with The Builders Summit in Lagos

ReneePR

Peace Itimi: Documenting African Tech Stories with Founders Connect

Business Day

Founders Connect Live Returns with ‘The Builders Summit’ and Startup Innovation Challenge

Techcabal

Playing the long game: 6 lessons from Founders Connect Live

Guardian

Founders Connect Live Returns with ‘The Builders Summit’ and Startup Innovation Challenge

Thecable

Founders Connect announces The Builders Summit in Lagos

Brila

Founders Connect Live Event: Uniting the Nigerian tech ecosystem for a day of insights, networking and fun

Technext

Founders Connect Live Returns with The Builders Summit in Lagos

Partner With Us

Join us as a sponsor or partner of the Builders Summit 2025 and connect with a community of entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and industry leaders. This will allow you to showcase your brand, build valuable relationships, and position your company at the forefront of innovation.
As a sponsor, you’ll enjoy:

High-Impact Visibility

Lead Generation

Industry Influence

Flexible Sponsorship Options

Apply here

2024 FC Lagos Event

1200

attendees

speakers

94%

Event rating

17+

Partners

Schedule

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FAQs

We tried to answer all your burning questions.

Why is it called The Builders Summit?

The shift from Founders Connect Live to the Builders Summit reflects our expanded vision to encompass the entire ecosystem of innovation, recognising that it's not just founders who drive success, but a collective of builders. Builders include not only founders but also the technologists, designers, marketers, operators, and investors integral to transforming ideas into reality.

Is this event only for tech professionals?

No. While the summit focuses on the tech ecosystem, it is designed for anyone building something impactful in technology, business, or creative industries. The event welcomes founders, operators, investors, creators, and professionals shaping the future.

Will there be virtual attendance options?

At this time, The Builders Summit is designed as an in-person event to maximize networking and engagement. However, select sessions may be available online post-event on our YouTube channel.

How can I become a partner or sponsor?

We welcome brands and organizations interested in supporting our vision. To explore partnership or sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to event@foundersconnect.xyz

Are there any discounts for group tickets?

Yes! We offer discounted rates for groups of two and three attending.

Why should I attend?

The Builders Summit is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in an electrifying atmosphere filled with engaging conversations, valuable networking prospects, and motivating activities. You'll gain insights from industry leaders, connect with like-minded builders, and find inspiration to fuel your ambition and innovation. It's a platform to learn, collaborate, and elevate your journey as a builder.

Partner with us!

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