Organization · Community
Founders Connect
Founders Connect is a community organization supporting black builders, including creators, tech professionals, founders, and investors, with a focus on the African tech ecosystem.
Overview
What Founders Connect does
What Founders Connect is
Founders Connect is a community organization supporting black builders, including creators, tech professionals, founders, and investors, with a focus on the African tech ecosystem.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Community
- Founded
- Founded in 2021
- Approximate age
- About 5 years
- Structured capabilities
- Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- April 3, 2026
Official channels
Find Founders Connect elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Founders Connect as a community
Community overview
Founders Connect is an organization founded in 2021, focused on supporting black builders, including creators, tech professionals, founders, and investors. It is based in various locations, including Africa, Europe, and North America. The organization aims to bridge the gap between the ecosystem and its people by providing storytelling, educational resources, and community engagement.
Community focus
Founders Connect invests in and provides services to early-stage founders across Africa, particularly in Kenya and Nigeria. The organization emphasizes tech-enabled startups that address specific needs within African markets. It offers visibility, strategic introductions, and funding opportunities through initiatives like the Launchpad pitch competition.
Member value
Members gain access to expert advice, networking opportunities, and exclusive resources. Founders Connect also provides visibility and strategic introductions to enhance their chances of success in the startup ecosystem.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- hybrid
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- March 15, 2025
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors · Students
- Benefits
- network-access and mentorship
- Program types
- community and bootcamp
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- AfricaEuropeNorth America
Community activity
- Annual events
- 4
Events and activity
Founders Connect organizes several events, including FC Nairobi on March 15, 2025, FC Lagos on May 23, 2025, FC Toronto on July 19, 2025, and FC London on October 4, 2025.
Notable members
Notable members include Sim Shagaya, Chancellor of Miva Open University and Group CEO of The uLesson Group; Adia Sowho, CMO of MTN; Babajide Duroshola, GM of M-KOPA Nigeria; and Olumide Soyombo.
Capability profile
Founders Connect as an event host
Event focus
Founders Connect invests in and provides services to early-stage founders across Africa, particularly in Kenya and Nigeria. The organization emphasizes tech-enabled startups that address specific needs within African markets. It offers visibility, strategic introductions, and funding opportunities through initiatives like the Launchpad pitch competition.
Format narrative
Founders Connect organizes various events and initiatives, including pitch competitions and community engagement activities, aimed at supporting black builders in the tech ecosystem.
Participant value
Founders Connect provides early-stage founders with access to funding opportunities, strategic introductions, and a supportive community focused on their growth and success.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- pitch-night
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- March 15, 2025
- Next event location
- Nairobi
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- application
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Regions
- AfricaEuropeNorth America
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Notable team members include Sim Shagaya, Adia Sowho, Babajide Duroshola, Olumide Soyombo, and Tosin Olaseinde.
Past editions
The organization has hosted events such as the Launchpad pitch competition, which offers cash grants and investment opportunities for early-stage founders.
Common questions
What to know about Founders Connect
Upseed classifies Founders Connect under the Community organization type. Its current public profile includes community and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 3, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.