Chris Folayan

Chris Folayan is a distinguished entrepreneur, author, and public speaker, recognized for his extensive experience in building and scaling businesses globally. He is the CEO and Founder of Founder Centered, a platform designed to assist entrepreneurs by connecting them with essential human and financial resources to foster growth and success in their ventures.24

Background and Career

Born and raised in Nigeria, Folayan began his entrepreneurial journey at the age of seven with a recycling business. His passion for business led him to the United States, where he pursued a degree at San Jose State University while simultaneously teaching himself multiple programming languages. This foundation enabled him to establish several successful companies, including OCFX Inc., a Silicon Valley-based app and software design agency that has collaborated with Fortune 100 and 500 companies.23

Folayan has authored multiple books, including "From Pitch to Close: What Founders and CEOs Need to Know and Do Before An Investor Meeting," which has received several awards for its insights into entrepreneurship and investment strategies.12 His work has earned him recognition as one of Africa's most influential people in 2022.3

Contributions

At Founder Centered, Folayan focuses on helping founders navigate the complexities of scaling their businesses through effective networking and strategic partnerships. He is also a sought-after public speaker, sharing his expertise on startups, fundraising, and corporate strategy across more than 50 countries.123

In addition to his role at Founder Centered, he has been involved with various other ventures, including developing one of Africa’s largest e-commerce platforms, MallforAfrica, which facilitated cross-border shopping for unbanked consumers.23 His commitment to mentoring and supporting entrepreneurs reflects his belief in the power of innovation and collaboration in achieving business success.