The Grinders Table

Uwem Uwemakpan

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The Grinders Table

The Grinders Table Podcast is your opportunity to sit at the table with entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders who are shaking things up in their industry. Each other week Uwem will interview these amazing thought-leaders to uncover how they've done it and learn something new in the process. Join me on the regular to hear how they dared to defy the odds and live their own success story... or epic failure!

1 DAY AGO

Influencing African Tech from Dakar: Sabrine Chahrour's Journey in Venture Capital

What happens when a Lebanese-born, Paris-educated investment banker returns to Dakar and discovers her true calling in venture capital? In this deeply personal episode, Sabrine Chahrour, Investor at Partech Africa, takes us through her remarkable journey from Googling "what is venture capital" to becoming a key player in Africa's tech ecosystem. But this isn't just another VC story. As a mother of two young children, Sabrine offers rare insights into navigating the demanding world of venture capital while embracing parenthood. She challenges conventional wisdom, revealing how motherhood enhanced her investment approach through improved empathy, patience, and strategic thinking. Whether you're a founder seeking to understand VC dynamics, a professional navigating work-life integration, or an investor curious about Francophone Africa's potential, this episode offers fresh perspectives on building impactful organizations in unexpected places. Key conversations include: The power of curiosity in career pivots Motherhood as a catalyst for better investing Why Francophone Africa might be tech's next frontier Strategic frameworks for evaluating African startups The art of managing both internal and external expectations

32 min
JAN 24

Navigating the Challenges in African Healthcare: with Tobias Reiter (CEO, Viebeg)

In this episode of The Grinders Table, we take a journey into the transformative world of healthcare in Africa with our guest, Tobias, CEO of Viebeg. Tobias, originally from Vienna, Austria, has spent over seven years in East Africa, where he has witnessed firsthand the critical challenges faced by healthcare providers, particularly the lack of reliable medical supplies. Tobias shares his journey, which began with a master’s thesis in Rwanda, where he became acutely aware of the inefficiencies in the healthcare supply chain. He recounts visiting numerous health facilities and discovering that many healthcare providers relied on gut feelings rather than data-driven decisions for procurement. This realization sparked the idea for Viebeg Medical, a company that now serves over 1,000 healthcare providers across five countries, utilizing artificial intelligence to optimize procurement processes and ensure that essential medical supplies are available where they are needed most. Throughout our conversation, we explore the unique challenges of being an entrepreneur in Africa, including the cultural differences and infrastructural hurdles that Tobias has navigated. He emphasizes the importance of hiring local talent who understand the market and the value of building a community-oriented workplace culture. We also discuss the role of technology and data in healthcare, with Tobias explaining how Viebeg leverages data to make informed decisions about medical supply needs. He discusses the challenges of data quality in Africa and the potential of AI to revolutionize healthcare delivery, while also acknowledging the need for accurate data collection in remote areas. Join us for this enlightening conversation that not only sheds light on the healthcare landscape in Africa but also offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs everywhere about the balance between impact and profitability, the significance of community, and the transformative power of technology.

33 min
07/02/2024

From high performance sports to retail success, our chat with Amber Penney (Co-founder, Faro)

Amber Penny, co-founder of Faro, a sustainable fashion brand, joined the podcast to share her journey and insights. She discussed her background in high-performance sports, the challenges of managing a startup, and the importance of building a strong team culture. Amber highlighted the value of vulnerability in leadership and the impact of creating a supportive work environment. She emphasized the significance of balance, pleasure, and financial motivation in her career, prioritizing these over power and fame. Overall, the conversation provided valuable insights into building a successful business while maintaining a focus on people and culture.

36 min
06/06/2024

Balancing Passion and Business: Lara Dendy Young's Story with Conservio

In this episode, I interview Lara Dendy Young, the co-founder of Conservio. Lara shares her background as a South African with a passion for nature conservation and wildlife. She discusses her experience in water polo and how it has shaped her work ethic and teamwork skills. Lara talks about the journey of founding Conservio with her business partner, Justin, during the challenging times of COVID-19. Throughout the conversation, Lara emphasizes the importance of impact and relevance in her work. She defines success as building a relevant platform for nature-based travel and making a meaningful impact in conservation. Lara also reflects on the balance between work and personal life, highlighting the significance of routines and maintaining a healthy mindset. Overall, Lara's journey and insights showcase her dedication to conservation and building a successful business while maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life.

33 min
05/20/2024

The Operator's Edge: A conversation with Seni Sulyman (Founder, Talstack)

In our latest podcast episode, we had an enriching conversation with Seni Sulyman. We explore Seni's journey from a hands-on operator who helps scale one of Africa's unicorns (Andela) to a visionary founder. He shares invaluable insights on problem-solving, crafting processes, and strategic execution - the backbone of any prosperous company. Seni emphasizes the power of empathy and adaptability in leadership. His stories serve as a masterclass in engaging and inspiring teams, highlighting the importance of resonant communication and turning challenges into opportunities. He also provides a rare look into the personal life of a public figure, discussing the balance between visibility and privacy and his deliberate choice to prioritize personal values and meaningful work over the attraction of fame. This episode is more than just a conversation. It's a catalyst for self-reflection on the motivations behind our quest for success, fulfilment, and impact.

37 min
05/06/2024

Navigating Success with Oyin Solebo

We had Oyin Selebo, MD of Techstars Lagos on the Grinders Table in the episode. Oyin shares insights on succeeding in the startup ecosystem as a founder and investor, offering her unique perspective from experiences in wealth management, strategy consulting, and startup mentorship. Join us as we discuss the traits of successful startup leaders, the art of networking, the balance of power and fame, and the complexities of co-founder dynamics. This episode is a deep dive into Oyin's career and an exploration of broader themes critical to those looking to make a mark in the world.

37 min
05/01/2024

Repost: Clive Butkow's guide to navigating success in Business

This episode is a repost from Season 1 of our podcast. Clive Butkow shared his extensive journey from his early entrepreneurial ventures to his impressive tenure at Accenture, and his eventual founding of Kaylon Venture Partners after a brief retirement. This episode was not just a deep dive into the mechanics of venture capital but also a masterclass in leadership and entrepreneurial mindset. Clive's passion and expertise were truly inspiring, making this a must-listen for anyone interested in venture capital, entrepreneurship, or business leadership.

18 min
04/15/2024

Investing in Africa's Future: Kola Aina's Path to Ventures Platform

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kola Aina, a Nigerian entrepreneur turned Venture Capitalist, who shared his journey from starting a technology business to becoming a key player in the African investment landscape. Kola began his career in corporate finance before venturing into entrepreneurship with his company, Emerging Platforms, which focused on enterprise software for governments and corporations. He later transitioned into angel investing and now leads the Pan-African Early-Stage Fund Ventures Platform. We touched on the challenges Kola faced while raising funds for his first tech business and how these experiences shaped his approach to investing. We also discussed the evolution of the African tech ecosystem, noting the significant growth in venture capital and the need for more local participation and liquidity in local markets. It was an insightful conversation with Kola Aina, filled with valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, investment, and the art of maintaining balance in life.

35 min

Podcast

05/08/2023

J. Kelleyi

I've learned so much from this podcast about business leadership and management.

The Grinders Table Podcast is your opportunity to sit at the table with entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders who are shaking things up in their industry. Each other week Uwem will interview these amazing thought-leaders to uncover how they've done it and learn something new in the process. Join me on the regular to hear how they dared to defy the odds and live their own success story... or epic failure!

Creator

Uwem Uwemakpan
Years Active

2022 - 2025
Episodes

63
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Uwem Uwemakpan
Show Website

The Grinders Table