UnwindFest by YellowLyfe, a leading platform focused on curated founder and ecosystem conversations, is set to host the 10th edition of its flagship experience, Founders Rant X, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Alliance Française Lagos. The event will bring together over 150 founders, CEOs, and business leaders for a candid exploration of what it truly takes to build and sustain businesses in Nigeria today.
Africa remains one of the most entrepreneurial regions globally, with more than 1 in 5 working-age Africans actively starting or running businesses, the highest entrepreneurship rate in the world. Yet despite this strong entrepreneurial drive, access to funding remains a major challenge, with only about 20–33% of small businesses able to access formal financing. These realities highlight the growing need for platforms that encourage honest conversations, shared learning, and practical support for founders.
Founders Rant is designed to move beyond surface-level business conversations and focus on the real challenges founders face daily. Attendees can expect honest discussions on hiring, pricing, scaling, funding, and navigating uncertainty, led by founders and operators with firsthand experience. Through keynote sessions, panel conversations, and open dialogue, participants will gain practical insights, ask pressing questions, and connect with other founders facing similar realities.
The 2026 edition will feature a lineup of industry leaders across real estate, media, enterprise technology, and community building, including Paul Onwuanibe, Founder and CEO of Landmark Africa, who will deliver the keynote address on scaling businesses and the future of entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
Other speakers include Katharina Link, CEO of Pulse Africa; Kehinde Ogundare; Damilola Teidi-Ayoola; Fola Olatunji-David; and Kelechi Nwaozuzu, leaders with firsthand experience navigating the realities of building businesses in Africa. Over the past decade, Africa’s startup ecosystem has experienced significant growth, with startup funding increasing from less than $200 million in 2015 to over $2 billion by 2021, reflecting rising investor interest across sectors such as fintech, media, and enterprise technology.
Despite this progress, sustainability remains a challenge. Studies indicate that a significant number of small businesses fail within their first few years, often due to funding constraints, operational gaps, and market volatility. At the same time, small and medium-sized enterprises continue to play a vital role in economic growth, with over 44 million SMEs operating across Africa, contributing significantly to employment and innovation across the continent. These realities underscore the importance of platforms like Founders Rant that create space for founders to share experiences, learn from one another, and build stronger strategies for long-term growth.
Over the years, Founders Rant has grown into one of Nigeria’s most consistent founder storytelling platforms, known for creating space for honest, unfiltered conversations that reflect the realities of building in a complex and fast-changing business environment. Each edition has brought together diverse voices across industries, helping founders gain clarity, perspective, and practical insights that influence real business decisions.
“Founders Rant was created because too many founders are building without enough honest context about what others are actually experiencing,” said Seyi Olaniyan, Convener of UnwindFest.
“This edition is about deepening those conversations, bringing more experienced voices into the room, and making sure founders are not just inspired, but better equipped to navigate what they are building in real time,” he added.
This milestone edition reinforces UnwindFest’s commitment to building spaces where founders and operators can engage in meaningful, experience-driven conversations that support stronger decision-making and long-term growth. The event is supported by partners including Cleva Banking, Tech Pression, Red Media Africa, Condia and Twenties Tribe.
Tickets are available at Unwindfest.com. For updates and ongoing conversations, follow @UnwindFest on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
Last updated: April 24, 2026
