[Interview] Ireayomide Oladunjoye, MD/CEO, Endeavor, Nigeria
Ireayomide Oladunjoye is the MD and CEO of Endeavor Nigeria. She is passionate about supporting and being an enabler in the ecosystem for impact and social development working to leave a legacy of transforming the Nigerian economy one entrepreneur at a time.
Could you tell us about yourself?
I am Ireayomide Oladunjoye, the Managing Director and CEO of Endeavor Nigeria. Passionate about supporting and being an enabler in the ecosystem for impact and social development. I want to leave a legacy of transforming the Nigerian economy one entrepreneur at a time. I previously worked at Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, where I was responsible for the Startup Desk, again an enabler in the tech ecosystem in Lagos State, Nigeria.
You joined Endeavor as New Managing Director, what inspired you to join the Team?
Endeavor, a not-for-profit organization, is the leading global community of, for and by high-impact entrepreneurs. I was inspired to join the team as Endeavor’s core belief aligned with mine, I believe that high-impact entrepreneurs transform economies. And as I previously mentioned, I am passionate about supporting and being an enabler in the ecosystem for impact and social development.
Being part of the Endeavor team allows me to work with like-minded individuals who want to transform economies one entrepreneur at a time by creating a multiplier effect and inspiring high-growth entrepreneurs to dream bigger, scale faster and pay it forward. This inevitably leads to the building of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria and, in turn, emerging and underserved markets worldwide.
Could you tell us about Endeavor, the company you are leading?
Endeavor is 25 years old with a strong Board Members, with over 2400 entrepreneurs selected from 100,000 plus applications, over 3.4 million jobs created, over $42 billion dollars in revenue generated by Endeavor entrepreneurs in 2021, and $12.3 billion raised in equity by Endeavor entrepreneurs.
Endeavor is 25 years old, with over 2400 entrepreneurs selected from 100,000 plus applications, over 3.4 million jobs created, over $42 billion dollars in revenue generated by Endeavor entrepreneurs in 2021, and $12.3 billion raised in equity by Endeavor entrepreneurs. Endeavor is present in 41 markets across the globe currently, with over 500 team members and headquarters based in New York.
Endeavor in Nigeria has been in operation since 2017, and we’re currently supporting 33 entrepreneurs in 15 companies. Launched its Nigeria office in 2018 to select and support the best founders of companies at the scale-up and growth stage who recognise a responsibility to pay it forward and multiply their impact in Nigeria’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Endeavor Nigeria aims to select 4-6 companies a year, and today there are 33 Endeavor Entrepreneurs leading 15 companies in the portfolio.
What are the long term ambitions you’re aiming for, as an organization and as a new MD?
As the new MD, I think we don't change the wheel if it is not broken; instead, we should look for ways to magnify the work being done and that which is working to improve. The Nigerian market is young compared to other countries regarding the entrepreneurship journey. So, I intend to illuminate our success stories and go big on paying back in the local market to encourage the younger founders to aspire and work towards being part of Endeavor. We will continue to be ecosystem players, enablers and advocates for the purpose of sustainable economics, which largely relies on high-impact entrepreneurship.
What is the company’s growth strategy for 2023?
We will continue to select Endeavor Entrepreneurs by searching, identifying founders with the greatest growth potential, and inviting them to participate in our rigorous but renowned selection processes.
We will continue to support Endeavor Entrepreneurs with our expansive global network, unrivaled peer-to-peer community, and highly-curated services.
Endeavor will continue to elevate Endeavor Entrepreneurs as aspirational role models and provide avenues for them to mentor and inspire others to reimagine what is possible. We will also continue to invest in Endeavor Entrepreneurs through our rules-based fund, Endeavor Catalyst.
As well as advance the conversation around global entrepreneurship and innovation through original content, leveraging Endeavor’s proprietary data set and insights.
Any news or information from your organization you would like to share?
Endeavor will continue to work on it's mission to support Endeavor Entrepreneurs with our expansive global network and any further news will be shared on all our social media channels.
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