FirstFounders’ Ecosystem Mixer: Breaking Barriers for Africa’s Next Wave of Innovators

On a vibrant evening in Lagos this past May, something special was brewing at the African Ecosystem Mixer. It wasn’t just about networking or drinking; it was about tearing down the invisible walls that have long kept aspiring entrepreneurs on the sidelines. 

Hosted by FirstFounders Inc., a Nigerian venture studio committed to scaling early-stage startups, in collaboration with Knowvate Hub, a global community of minority entrepreneurs and RemoStart, a global talent resource, the event was a bold statement: the era of gatekeeping in Africa’s tech scene is over. 

The mixer, themed “Leveraging Community Growth to Drive Venture Success,” brought together a dynamic crowd of almost 200 founders, investors, and tech professionals, all buzzing with an energy of genuine connection.  For FirstFounders, the mission was clear. 

“We are trying to create a no-barrier system,” explained CEO David Lanre-Messan. He emphasised the goal is to build an inclusive environment for “underrepresented founders” and those at the “bottom of the pyramid” who are often overlooked by the mainstream ecosystem. 

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This philosophy was woven into the fabric of the event. From the fireside chats to the product demos, every segment was designed to foster authentic conversations and demystify the startup journey. 

Speakers like Onyinye Igbokwe of Knowvate Hub and Ubio Obu of RemoStart shared candid insights on everything from the “madness and doggedness” required to succeed, to building global careers from right here in Nigeria. Obu’s message was particularly powerful: “Borders are broken. You don’t need to leave Nigeria to build something impactful.” 

The event statistics speak for themselves, with a staggering 63.8% of attendees being founders, showcasing a genuine commitment to empowering the core of the ecosystem. Strategic partnerships with organisations like Condia, which led a keynote on storytelling, and GuestsNHosts, which streamlined the check-in process, amplified the event’s reach and impact. 

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees still buzzing about the experience weeks later.  The success has created a powerful momentum. As one partner from Scotland eagerly asked, “When are we going to have our Abuja?” 

Well, the wait is almost over. FirstFounders is taking the movement on the road, with the next stop in Abuja on July 24th. The plan doesn’t stop there; editions in Accra and Nairobi are also on the horizon as they continue their mission to connect the dots across the continent.