LinkedIn Profile: Ms. Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke

In this episode, we dive into the Nigeria Office for Philanthropy & Impact Investing (NPO) with distinguished panel members Ms. Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke, Ms. Ayodele Olojede, Ms. Elizabeth Oguegbu, and Mr. Tola Adekunle-Johnson. They share insights into the NPO's objectives, strategies, and initiatives aimed at fostering job creation and economic growth in Nigeria.

• Ms. Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke: Chairperson of the NPO, providing a brief overview of her role and background.
• Ms. Ayodele Olojede: Representative from Wema Bank and NPO Implementing Committee member, sharing her expertise and involvement.
• Ms. Elizabeth Oguegbu: Representative from Access Bank and NPO Implementing Committee member, introducing her role and contributions.

• The origin and evolution of the Nigeria Office for Philanthropy & Impact Investing.
• The role and significance of the NPO in Nigeria's economic landscape.

• How the NPO collaborates with the Vice President's office to streamline efforts.
• The integration of public and private sector initiatives.

• Primary objectives of the NPO and the strategies in place to achieve them.
• Key focus areas and intended outcomes.

• Developing a robust pipeline of companies.
• Resources and support required to scale up job creation efforts.

• Definition and criteria for women recipients (founders, co-founders, advisors).
• Long-term goals and impacts of this allocation criterion.

• Conditions and potential matching investment requirements tied to grants.
• Efficiency in deploying grants to ensure timely job creation.

• Specific sectors targeted for capital deployment.
• Rationale behind the selection of these sectors.

• Possibilities of other African countries adopting a similar model.
• Expected outcomes and benefits for the broader African continent.

• Opportunities for Silicon Valley investors to partner with and invest in the NPO initiative.
• Ways to foster collaboration and mutual growth.

• Plans for companies to expand into new markets.
• Strategies for growth and international expansion.

• Assurance mechanisms for proper utilization of grant money.
• Governance structures tied to financial assistance.

• Information companies need to provide to secure funding.
• Criteria and eligibility requirements for applicants.

• Additional support provided to companies beyond funding.
• Resources and mentorship available to aid business growth.

• Importance of technology and innovation in the NPO's investment strategy.
• Future trends and opportunities.

Guest: John Hittler | LinkedIn

Overview: In this episode, we dive deep into the extraordinary journey of John Hittler, a CEO Trusted Advisor, 9-time Founder and CEO, funding source, author, TEDx speaker, and father of seven. John shares his wealth of experience, insights into leadership, and strategies for balancing a demanding career with personal life.

Discussion Points:

1. Career History

• John provides an overview of his career path, highlighting key milestones and achievements.

• As a busy professional with multiple roles, John discusses how he efficiently manages his time and responsibilities.

• John shares notable challenges and setbacks he has faced in his career and the strategies he used to overcome them.

• Reflecting on the companies he has started, John recounts some memorable experiences and lessons learned.

• John explains his motivation for founding Evoking Genius after successfully starting nine other companies.

• Insight into the specific methodologies or frameworks John utilizes with his clients to drive success.

• Discussing the key characteristics that differentiate elite leaders from the average person and what makes them successful.

• What a first session with John looks like and how he sets the stage for productive coaching relationships.

• John's approach to identifying and leveraging unique strengths and talents within an organization.

• Strategies for supporting leaders in maintaining balance and preventing burnout in high-pressure environments.

• Anonymous success stories showcasing how John has helped clients achieve their goals.

• How John stays informed and ensures his insights and strategies remain relevant in the ever-evolving business landscape.

• Advice for aspiring leaders or entrepreneurs on fostering innovation and creativity within their teams.

• Addressing common challenges and misconceptions encountered when working with organizations and how John handles them.

• Exploring common misconceptions people have about CEOs and the realities of their roles.

• Information on how to learn more about John and his current projects, along with contact details for further engagement.

Ep 228 Unlocking Venture Capital Insights with Brian Bell: Strategies, SPVs, and Future Trends

Brian Bell Bio

Managing Partner at Team Ignite Ventures | ex AI at AWS, Microsoft, and several startups.

Main Discussion

1. Background and Experience

• Brian’s Journey: Brian shares a brief introduction to his background, career path, and how he became a venture capitalist.

• Evolution of Venture Capital: Brian discusses the evolving landscape of venture capital, including current trends and future outlooks.

• Starting in VC: Practical advice from Brian for those aspiring to enter the venture capital industry.

• Investing and Managing SPVs: Insights into Brian’s experience with SPVs, including the benefits and challenges.

• Future Value-Add: Brian’s perspective on where the most significant value-add for venture capitalists will lie in the future from both the investor and company perspectives.

• Importance of VC Brand: Discussion on the future significance of having a venture capital brand on a company's cap table.

• Tracking Investments: How angel investors typically keep track of their portfolio companies.
• Effective Communication: Examples of how companies effectively maintain communication with their investors.

• Timing and Strategy: Brian’s thoughts on why some founders wait until the last minute to seek capital or consider selling their companies.

• Implications of Write-Offs: The impact of writing off an investment in terms of taxes, returns, and LP reports.

• Types of Reports: Insights into the types of reports venture capitalists typically provide to their limited partners.

• Advantages of Newsletters: The benefits for both venture capitalists and founders in maintaining a newsletter.

• Marketing Efforts: Brian’s approach to managing his marketing efforts and building his personal brand.

• Pros and Cons of Moving: Brian shares his experiences and thoughts on relocating from Silicon Valley, including the pros and cons of his new living situation.

• Staying Connected: Information on how to learn more about Brian and his current ventures, including the best ways to connect with him.

Connect with Brian

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bblinkedin/

Subscribe to Brian’s substack https://brianrbell.substack.com/