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‘Tomi Davies (TD) is Collaborator-in-Chief (CiC)’ at TVC Labs, a technology-enabled innovation hub in Lagos, Nigeria which he founded. He is a co-founder of Zeitec, an investment firm that focuses on venture capital assets in Africa, the Lagos Angel Network (LAN), founding President of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN) and board member of the Global Business Angel Network (GBAN).
After graduating from the University of Miami in 1982, TD led innovative technology-enabled transformation initiatives for influential global brands such as Elf Aquitaine, Marks & Spencer, Ernst & Young and Sapient across Europe, the United States and Southeast Asia.
In 2000, his focus shifted to Africa where he worked on various technology-led innovation initiatives in Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and Kenya using his goal-oriented approach to project delivery which inspired his 2014 book “The African Project Manager”. In December 2021, TD was named as one of the “100 Most Influential Africans of 2021” by New African Magazine.
TD is Chairman of Powerstove (Renewables) and Non-Executive Director at MBO Capital (Private Equity) and sits on the boards of Big Cabal Media (Media & Entertainment), Trove (Fintech), Omnibiz (eCommerce) and Laptops4Learning (L4L) Nigeria (Edutech NGO). He also Chairs the Innovation Committee of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC).
Being an African angel investor with insights gained from a growing portfolio of tech-enabled startup ventures originating from Africa, TD’s personal goal is to ”Find, Fund & Follow2Exit”, African founders that are using technology-enabled innovation to create economic value and social impact on the continent that “builds Africa’s future together”. These founders are the inspiration and target of his 2023 book “Investment Worthy Startup” which lays out his POEM Framework as a tool for founders and their investors building tech-enabled startups on the continent.
After graduating from the University of Miami in 1982, TD led innovative technology-enabled transformation initiatives for influential global brands such as Elf Aquitaine, Marks & Spencer, Ernst & Young and Sapient across Europe, the United States and Southeast Asia.
In 2000, his focus shifted to Africa where he worked on various technology-led innovation initiatives in Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and Kenya using his goal-oriented approach to project delivery which inspired his 2014 book “The African Project Manager”. In December 2021, TD was named as one of the “100 Most Influential Africans of 2021” by New African Magazine.
TD is Chairman of Powerstove (Renewables) and Non-Executive Director at MBO Capital (Private Equity) and sits on the boards of Big Cabal Media (Media & Entertainment), Trove (Fintech), Omnibiz (eCommerce) and Laptops4Learning (L4L) Nigeria (Edutech NGO). He also Chairs the Innovation Committee of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC).
Being an African angel investor with insights gained from a growing portfolio of tech-enabled startup ventures originating from Africa, TD’s personal goal is to ”Find, Fund & Follow2Exit”, African founders that are using technology-enabled innovation to create economic value and social impact on the continent that “builds Africa’s future together”. These founders are the inspiration and target of his 2023 book “Investment Worthy Startup” which lays out his POEM Framework as a tool for founders and their investors building tech-enabled startups on the continent.
Driven by intellect, innovation, integrity and collaboration, TD passionately supports Africa’s startup ecosystem. He champions technology as a catalyst for improving lives and empowering innovative startups creating economic value that generates social impact across the continent. TD underscores the pivotal role of international support in accelerating the growth of innovation hubs and business angels which are critical resources shaping the future of African startups!
Driven by intellect, innovation, integrity and collaboration, TD passionately supports Africa’s startup ecosystem. He champions technology as a catalyst for improving lives and empowering innovative startups creating economic value that generates social impact across the continent. TD underscores the pivotal role of international support in accelerating the growth of innovation hubs and business angels which are critical resources shaping the future of African startups!
TD continues to expand his influence by pioneering the “POEM Framework®”—a strategic tool for assessing and scaling startups, which he developed based on his experience advising high-growth companies like Boo.com and SupaStrikas. His POEM Framework addresses essential pillars of startup success: Proposition, Organization, Economics, and Milestones, giving early-stage ventures a structured pathway from idea to market leadership. His book, “Investment Worthy Startup”, further distils these insights, providing actionable guidance for entrepreneurs navigating Africa’s dynamic and challenging markets.
TD’s recent activities have centred on:
Leading initiatives to support angel networks across Nigeria, including establishing new ones like the upcoming Anambra Angel Network, set to launch at the Anambra Innovation Week.
TD has shared his insights through publications, masterclasses, and keynotes on topics including cross-border expansion, sustainable growth, and startup scaling, delivered to international audiences across Africa and Europe.
Through Founders@TVCLabs and a syndicate of angel investors, TD actively supports African founders in raising capital, achieving product-market fit, and scaling sustainably. This is done for early stage founders through the MentorPitch program and for later stage founders through the SYS/SFB program
As a board member of the Global Business Angel Network (GBAN) and founding President of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN), TD remains a powerful advocate for Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. His vision for 2025 is to see the POEM Framework adopted widely across the continent as a universal tool for evaluating and scaling investment-worthy startups, thereby catalysing economic transformation and fostering inclusive innovation in Africa.
TD’s engagements in 2025 include judging the World Summit Awards (WSA) which is a unique awards system, selecting and promoting local digital innovation to improve society. Combining an ongoing series of international events and activities with a global network of start-ups, social entrepreneurs, mentors, jurors, speakers, experts, government leaders, academia and civil society. His contributions are also evident through blog articles, panel discussions, and workshops aimed at addressing the unique scaling and funding challenges faced by African startups.
Shaping the future of startup success.
