Speaker Biography (2025)
For Keynotes, Corporate Events & Global Innovation Summits
Harry Ola’Tomi Davies (TD) is a globally recognized African angel investor, author, and digital transformation expert. He serves as CEO of DiaGlocal Collective, Collaborator-in-Chief at TVCLabs, Chairman of the Board at RevUP Caribbean, and President Emeritus of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN). TD is widely credited with helping shape Africa’s early-stage investment ecosystem through his operational leadership, investor education, and founder mentorship efforts across the continent and its diaspora.
Global Career
With a professional background spanning over four decades, TD began his career after graduating from the University of Miami in 1982, leading digital transformation projects for global companies such as Elf Aquitaine, Marks & Spencer, Ernst & Young, and Sapient across Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia. In 2000, he shifted focus to Africa, applying his project delivery expertise to innovation-led initiatives in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, a journey that inspired his 2014 book, The African Project Manager.
Books
A comprehensive guide for startup founders and investors, featuring his proprietary POEM Framework®, which evaluates ventures across Proposition, Organization, Economics and Milestones.
A practical guide to delivering successful projects in Africa, offering proven strategies for navigating challenging environments and driving results.
A collaborative book with global business leaders that shares practical insights on success and leadership.
A practical guide for professionals seeking to excel in corporate environments through effective decision-making, communication, and leadership.
A comprehensive guide for startup founders and investors, featuring his proprietary POEM Framework®, which evaluates ventures across Proposition, Organization, Economics and Milestones.
A practical guide to delivering successful projects in Africa, offering proven strategies for navigating challenging environments and driving results.
A collaborative book with global business leaders that shares practical insights on success and leadership.
A practical guide for professionals seeking to excel in corporate environments through effective decision-making, communication, and leadership.
Leadership & Angel Investments
Through his work at TVC Labs, TD supports founders via programs like Founders@TVCLabs, MentorPitch, and SYS/SFB, designed to help startups achieve product-market fit and raise capital. He has led the establishment of multiple angel networks, including the Lagos Angel Network (LAN) and the upcoming Anambra Angel Network, and currently serves as a board member of the Global Business Angel Network (GBAN).
His personal investment strategy – “Find, Fund & Follow2Exit” has led to active involvement in high-growth African startups such as:
- Omnibiz (eCommerce)
- Crediometer (Fintech)
- Powerstove (Renewables)
- Big Cabal Media (Media & Entertainment)
- Semicolon (Edutech)
- Sproxil (HealthTech)
- FlexiSAF (EduTech)
Thought Leadership & Speaking Engagements
TD is a sought-after voice in global innovation and investment circles. His keynote appearances include the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF), Africa Tech Summit, TechCrunch Startup Battlefield Africa, AfriTech Basecamp London, EBAN Helsinki, and multiple angel investment and innovation events across Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. He also judges the World Summit Awards (WSA) and contributes to conversations on startup policy, tech entrepreneurship, and inclusive innovation. His thought leadership spans dozens of articles on Medium, including:
Startup evaluation model adopted by investors and founders.
Avoiding startup-killing traps before they happen.
Mastering the ask and raising angel capital.
Why scaling barriers persist across the continent.
Mentorship-led capital readiness for founders.
Strengthening local and diaspora investor collaboration.
Recognized as one of the “100 Most Influential Africans of 2021” by New African Magazine, TD has also been profiled by TechCrunch, TechCabal, Disrupt Africa, Punch Newspapers, Wharton FinTech, Techpoint Africa and others.
Invite TD to Speak
If you are organizing a conference, masterclass, investor event, or policy forum, please reach out using the link below:
Vision & Future Impact
TD’s current mission is to expand the adoption of the POEM Framework® as a universal standard for evaluating startups across Africa and the diaspora, enabling more efficient capital deployment and venture scaling. He continues to advise governments, angel groups, accelerators, and global institutions on innovation strategy, angel investing, and startup development.