It started with an early meeting with a seasoned banking professional who's spent over 30 years in the industry. Ose leads one of the private banking teams of the bank. The sheer consistency of dedicating that much time to one career is remarkable, and it got us talking about work, life, and everything in between.
A funny moment came up when they commented, "You don't look like a doctor." My Gen Z-inspired hairstyle, apparently, didn't scream "Dr. Solomon King." We laughed, and the conversation turned to deeper topics — Christianity, private banking, and the fascinating intersections of these with angel investing.
laughed, and the conversation turned to deeper topics — Christianity, private banking, and the fascinating intersections of these with angel investing.
Relationships are the bridge to funding.
From there, I dashed off to meet up with Gareth Shepperson, an acclaimed attorney and property consultant with strong ties to South Africa, the UK, and Dubai. We had earlier connected on LinkedIn and we were to have a round of golf at Lakowe. But that hasn't happened yet.
Over a delicious lunch (I had pasta, and yes, it was as good as it sounds!), we delved into his journey — how he transitioned into his current role at Sheperson Consulting — and explored potential collaborations. Interestingly, during our conversation, we discovered a unique connection: one of LAN's co-founders is on Sheperson Consulting's Board of Advisors.
It's amazing how LinkedIn comments can spark meaningful connections that lead to real-world partnerships! Plus it is true when they say "small world".
Strategic Insights Matter
Next, I connected with Temitope Adeyemi of Pay-U, one of the standout businesses funded by LAN earlier this year. Together, we headed to a meeting with Dele Badejo an accomplished business leader, chairman of Vestar Coffee, and a former managing director at Oando Plc
The discussion revolved around Pay-U's strategic direction and its impressive month-on-month revenue growth. Dele provided sharp insights and suggested key tweaks to Pay-U's strategy, which Temitope took on with enthusiasm. Of course, I enjoyed two cups of cold coffee and some pie — small comforts that kept the day moving.
Feedback from seasoned professionals, like Uncle D's for Pay-U, can help startups align their growth plans to build more profitable enterprises. It is the reason Angel investing is a contact sport, where startups benefit immensely from mentorship and contacts, not just funds.
Impact is Key
After leaving Dele's office, Tope and I headed to the Tech Connect event at 54 Collective's office hosted by Datamellon Startups (reads Cocomellon in my head). The evening began with a panel conversation sprinkled with other presentations, but the real value came from the mingling afterward.
One memorable interaction was with someone who approached me, saying, "You look familiar." He introduced himself as "Michael King", and I smiled as I shared my name: Solomon King. We had a lighthearted exchange about our shared last name, and though I'm not from Lagos, the coincidence was a fun icebreaker.
The standout moment of the evening was reconnecting with Dare Olatoye, the founder of Trueflutter — a dating app and one of LAN's early success stories. Dare expressed heartfelt gratitude for LAN's support, sharing how the funding and guidance came at a critical time for his business. He told of the conscious support and championing that Arinze Anyaeche, FCCA played to get him in front of the Angels. Trueflutter has since gone on to raise additional funds, sustain operations for more than 5 years, and make a tangible impact.
One story stood out: Dare met his wife through Trueflutter(Awwwn). The app has facilitated 110 weddings so far — proof of the societal impact angel investing can create. As he puts it, angel investors don't just fund businesses; they empower ideas that transform lives. TrueFlutter's impact underscores the importance of showcasing how a business solves real problems. Investors are drawn to ideas that create measurable change.
Just Get to It Already
I also caught up with Grace Iwuala MSc, FICA, founder of Charz Grill by Pantry Express. Grace transitioned from a finance career to building a food tech company. Seeing her determination to build something meaningful was inspiring, and we had an insightful conversation about strategy, operations, and scaling her business. I promised to support her however I could. Relationships are often the bridge to funding. Connections made through platforms like LinkedIn or events like mixers can lead to significant opportunities.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted but fulfilled. Thursday reminded me of the incredible connections, meaningful conversations, and tangible impact we can create through collaboration and support in this ecosystem.
Capital raising is about numbers and narratives.