FirstFounders expands ecosystem push with High-Profile mixer in Abuja

FirstFounders Inc., a Lagos-based venture studio focused on early-stage startups, brought its ecosystem-building campaign to Abuja this week, convening over 150 founders, investors and tech executives for the latest instalment of its African Ecosystem Mixer.

The event marks a continuation of FirstFounders’ mission to spotlight underrepresented founders often overlooked in Nigeria’s mainstream venture ecosystem. Backed by Abuja’s Founders Friday and representatives from the upcoming Africa Startup Festival, the Abuja mixer sought to drive connections across sectors and borders.

“We’re building from zero to one—and setting a new narrative for what’s possible,” said David Lanre-Messan, CEO of FirstFounders, during Thursday’s gathering. “The journey doesn’t end here. We are heading to Kano, Accra, Nairobi, and London.”

The push comes as Nigerian startups face growing headwinds—90% struggle to survive past early stages—fueled by fragmented funding structures and uneven policy support. In a candid panel session, founders bared their hearts regarding building in Africa.

Usman Imanah, CEO of agri-tech firm Friska Farms, argued that investment capital rarely reaches the smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the region’s agricultural sector.

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Yet, signs of homegrown success are emerging. Maxwell Maduka, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of hardware startup TerraHaptix, detailed how his company is building low-cost robotics for the energy and agriculture industries. That strategy delivered a significant win in May: the drone-maker beat an Israeli competitor for a $1.2 million contract to provide security for two Nigerian hydroelectric plants.

“When we started, one of my biggest motives was exporting engineering excellence to the world,” Maduka said during a panel discussion. Speakers, including Ubio Obu of RemoStart and presidential trade advisor Chigozie Okwara, emphasised the importance of collaboration in Africa’s tech growth. “We can’t build an ecosystem in silos,” Okwara said, promising to connect panellists to policymakers.

For FirstFounders, meetups like this reflect a broader shift toward venture studios that prioritise community-led innovation and peer-driven support models—a model it hopes to scale across African cities and global hubs.