In this episode with Tolu Afilaka, Ayo Akinola, co-founder of PiggyVest and CEO of PocketApp, shares the real lessons behind building one of Nigeria’s most trusted fintech companies.
This is not just a startup success story. It is a conversation about failure, trust, team dynamics, mentorship, relationships, sales, consumer psychology, and what it really takes to build a business that Nigerians believe in.
Ayo reflects on the early years before PiggyVest, the failed ventures that shaped his thinking, the co-founder relationships that kept the team going, and the role mentorship played in helping them navigate regulation, uncertainty, and growth.
He also explains why PiggyVest’s biggest edge was not just technology, but trust, transparency, and relatability, and how understanding how Nigerians think about money became central to the product’s success.
The conversation expands into PocketApp, pricing, packaging, sales, marriage, family support, and how founders can think more clearly about business growth.
If you are building a startup, growing a brand, or trying to understand how successful Nigerian businesses are built, this episode is packed with practical insight.
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