I begin every new year reflecting on a 'theme' for the year. I went into 2023 fully focused on 'building and scaling', however,the universe showed me the transition journey I was on in 2022 was far from done. Unbeknownst to me, rather than merely, transitioning, I was on a path of transformation. A subtle but important difference. Painful, disruptive, and non-linear as it has been, it has been a necessary part of the process.
The key lessons (some new, some re-affirmed) I took away from this year:
Meaningful relationships and meaningful work are mutually reinforcing.
You will not find peace in something you were not meant to settle in.
Don't chase, attract. We attract based on we are, not what we want.
Your true character is revealed in adversity, stay true to yourself.
Intuition is the compass of the soul, always trust your instinct.
Let go of the people and situations that do not serve you.
Pursue your purpose, a cause greater than ego and self.
Embrace discomfort in other to attain your highest self.
Do not shrink yourself to help others grow.
Be the visionary not the victim.
Look forward to building with and collaborating with you in 2024.
Best wishes,
PASSION. PURPOSE . PERFORMANCE
INVESTMENTS
MAGIC Highlights
MAGIC celebrated its 5 Year anniversary. Since raising its $30 million Fund II, MAGIC has backed 150+ companies across 5 continents and 30 countries, inspiring, equipping and amplifying incredible founders at the forefront of global innovation.
MAGIC continues to invest actively through the market cycle and has been proactively incorporating recent advancements in AI into its investment strategy, given its disruptive influence across both enterprise and consumer ecosystems.
🇺🇸 Triumphraised $10.2 million Series A round. Triumph which has been in a quiet beta until now has built an engine to power real-money tournaments
🇺🇸Vero Technologies raised $8.5 million Series A led by BankTech Ventures. Vero Technologies makes Wholesale Financing a Viable Revenue Stream for banks.
🇺🇸 Lunajoy raised $2.4 million in Seed funding led by Emmeline Ventures. Lunajoy provides holistic women’s mental health therapy, counselling, and medication management for every phase: adolescence to menopause and ageing.
🇮🇩 Proglix secured $1.35 million in seed funding. Proglix s a B2B marketplace for business and industrial supplies focused on Indonesia.
Kairos Angels was started, driven by a passion as founders and investors to identify and partner with unreasonable founders pursuing ideas that at scale would change the world for the better. Despite the challenging macro-economic backdrop, Kairos companies continue to make strides.
🇺🇸 EarlyBird raised $4.5 million in a seed extension round that was partially funded by its user base to scale its investment gifting platform for families.
🇳🇬 Vendeasewas selected as a 2023 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, at the forefront of technological innovation and immense potential to significantly impact society.
🇺🇸 Meow continues to scale assets under and management and pivoted to a fixed income with the primary aim of creating a financial supermarket for startups and small businesses.
🇺🇬Kuunda launched its first embedded credit product in Uganda in partnership with Airtel Money Uganda and FINCA Uganda Limited (MDI).
🇳🇬 Helium Health raised $30 million in investment from a Series B funding round for the purpose of expanding the reach of its fintech product, HeliumCredit.
BOARDS & ADVISORY
Evercare Hospital Lekki
Evercare celebrated two years of transforming healthcare in Nigeria in March 2023. Two years after commissioning the Hospital, it was an opportunity to reflect on the journey thus far and celebrate the milestones, and impact to the Nigerian healthcare system. I continue to support Evercare and the TPG team, in my capacity as a non-executive board director to reach new heights in our pursuit to transform healthcare on the continent.
Equality Fund
Equality Fund launched a new resource for investment decision-makers - the Equality Fund Gender Lens Investing (GLI) Criteria. We are grateful to pioneering frameworks, like The Global Impact Investing Network’s IRIS+ and 2X Global, which have raised the bar on how to measure - and manage - gender-lens investing. Our Criteria build upon that solid foundation.
Together, we can help shift who makes decisions about capital, and where it flows. The result is more investments moving directly to women and, girls, so that they can build their own sustainable and scalable futures according to their own visions.
Cambridge University
Appointed to the Cambridge University Networks and Volunteers Working Group of the Alumni Advisory Board, to offer guidance on how the University supports Alumni Groups and volunteers.
Presidential Policy Advisory Council
Appointed by President Tinubu (16th president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) to the Policy Advisory Council of the Presidential Transition Committee.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
We continue to amplify global black narratives and showcase the many untold stories of our struggles and triumphs in every corner of the world, sometimes in unexpected places and high positions
Chief Executive Officer, MIPAD, Kamil Olufowobi, May 2023
Most Influential People of of African Descent
Honoured in the Global Top 100 Under 40 Edition of the most influential people of African Decent (MIPAD). In support of the International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by United Nation's General Assembly resolution 68/237 and to be observed from 2015 to 2024, MIPAD identifies high achievers of African descent in public and private sectors from all around the world as a progressive network of relevant actors to join together in the spirit of recognition, justice and development of Africa, it's people on the continent and across it's Diaspora.
Choiseul 100 Africa 2023 Laureate
Honoured as a Choiseul Laureate in the Choiseul 100 Africa 2023 ranking for the third consecutive year. The ranking highlights the tremendous assets of Africa and aims to build a unique network of economic leaders on the whole continent.
Top 20 Women Blazing the Trail in the Healthcare Sector with Technology
Heckerbella celebrated 20 remarkable women who have harnessed the power of technology to revolutionize medical services and leapfrog the challenges of the traditional healthcare industry.
MEDIA AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Featured in the NBC and Forbes, Rising Woman Africa 2023-2024 Edition.
The presence of women has been instrumental in changing the narratives of national socio-economic policies across the globe. This collector's edition represents a significant contribution to the global dialogue on gender inclusion by honouring and celebrating the achievements of women who are making a profound impact on Africa.
You will discover their invaluable insights, advice, accompanied by compelling stories and interviews. The book showcases the remarkable journeys and contributions of women from across Africa and the world.
Joined as a panelist opening the 2023 International Economic Forum on Africa, where she discussed opportunities and challenges to accelerate sustainable investment in Africa and her views on how the global financial architecture should be reformed, to enhance Africa’s access to affordable finance.
Temi Marcella on the Equity Merchants podcast by Techpoint Africa highlights some important factors to consider before venturing into a co-founder relationship.
ANNUAL MEETINGS
There has never been a time of greater of promise, or greater peril.
Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, 2023
The World Economic Forum
Commenced 2023 with trip to Davos around the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, "Cooperation in a Fragmented World".
Left inspired by the thought provoking conversations with Robert F. Smith, Founder of Vista Equity Partners and David Spreng, Founder of Runway Growth Capital on building and scaling investment platforms, the power of focus and the intersect of purpose, passion and performance.
Participated in the Illumina Private Roundtable discussion on "The Need for Diversity in Population Genomics", where she shared perspectives from the continent, and advocated for a multi-stakeholder approach. I stressed the importance of diversity and equity in the advancement of genomics research and precision medicine, to ensure better better health outcomes for all.
The Milken Institute 26th annual Global Conference, May 2023
Milken Global Conference
Setting the agenda for advancing a thriving world at the 26th Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles. Furthermore, the Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation announced the winners of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AgriTech, the first of a series of multiyear, multimillion-dollar innovation competitions and programs to advance technological progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Kaufman Fellows Summit
After a successful Latin America Summit in Mexico City earlier this year, Kauffman Fellows held its Annual Summit in Nairobi in September, 2023. The Summit brought more than 300 investors from over 45 countries to Kenya. It also had in attendance, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Kenya, Dr William Ruto. The Kauffman summit aims to promote cross-border investments in tech markets worldwide, with its most recent summits hosted in Mexico, Dubai, Japan, Israel, Singapore, Brazil, and China.
Stanford University, GSB - 10 Year Reunion
TM HIGHLIGHTS
Teal Health raised $8.8M seed round to tackle cervical cancer screening
Teal Healthannounced an $8.8M seed round backed by a diverse set of investors: Serena Ventures, Metrodora, and Emerson Collective. With this new financing, Teal Health plans to expedite product development, clinical testing (which is already underway), and FDA approval which would facilitate access to the 88 million women within recommended screening age.
Credable raised $2.5M seed round
Credablean embedded finance platform providing clients with the technology stack, scoring capabilities and banking partners, has raised a $2.5M seed round. This follows its pre-seed round secured in early 2021 and led by The Continent Venture Partners (TCVP). With this new financing, Credable plans to launch four more products and partner with businesses in these countries.
Helium Health secured $30M funding to power healthcare financing
Helium Health closed $30M Series B funding round led by AXA IM Alts, with participation from Capria Ventures, Angaza Capital, Anne Wojcicki (Founder of 23 & Me) and Flatworld Partners. The funding will be used to expand the reach of its fintech product, HeliumCredit.
