Serial entrepreneur Opeyemi Awoyemi, co-founder of Jobberman and Whogohost, has launched Fast Forward Venture Studio, a novel approach to building successful African startups. Unlike traditional venture capital funds, Fast Forward actively partners with experienced operators to build companies from the ground up.
Awoyemi and his co-founder, Omolara Awoyemi, bring a wealth of operational expertise to the table. Leveraging their experience at leading companies like Jumia and Facebook, they identify high-impact business opportunities within sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, and education.
Fast Forward provides selected operators with $100,000 in seed funding, alongside critical support in areas such as co-founder recruitment, engineering, product strategy, and growth marketing. In exchange, Fast Forward takes a minority equity stake in the company, effectively acting as a co-founder.
This approach differs significantly from traditional venture capital, where investors typically provide funding and mentorship to existing startups. Awoyemi emphasizes the importance of hands-on involvement and a strong focus on execution.
“We back entrepreneurs from day one, and we see ourselves as builders alongside them,” says Awoyemi. “We believe the best way to unlock impactful opportunities is to empower exceptional operators and guide them through the entire journey.”
Fast Forward boasts an impressive early track record, with portfolio companies like Bumpa, AltSchool, and Dojah attracting significant investor interest. The studio’s unique model, coupled with the strong operational expertise of its founders, positions it as a key player in shaping the future of the African tech ecosystem.
