UnwindFest by YellowLyfe is set to host the 10th edition of its Founders Rant this month in Lagos, bringing together founders and business leaders to discuss challenges facing startups in Nigeria.
A Tuesday statement from the organisers stated that the event is expected to attract over 150 founders, chief executives, and industry operators for discussions on building and sustaining businesses in a challenging operating environment.
According to the organisers, the platform focuses on practical conversations around funding, hiring, pricing, scaling, and navigating uncertainty, with participants sharing experiences from operating in the local market.
Africa remains one of the most entrepreneurial regions globally, with more than one in five working-age individuals engaged in starting or running businesses. However, access to finance remains constrained, with only about 20 to 33 per cent of small businesses able to secure formal funding.
The organisers said the event aims to address these gaps by encouraging knowledge sharing and peer learning among founders.
The 2026 edition will feature speakers from sectors including real estate, media, enterprise technology, and community building. The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Landmark Africa, Paul Onwuanibe, is expected to deliver the keynote address on scaling businesses and the future of entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
Other speakers include Katharina Link, Kehinde Ogundare, Damilola Teidi-Ayoola, Fola Olatunji-David, and Kelechi Nwaozuzu.
The event comes against the backdrop of growth in Africa’s startup ecosystem, with funding rising from less than $200m in 2015 to over $2bn by 2021. Despite this increase, sustainability challenges persist, with many small businesses struggling due to funding constraints, operational inefficiencies, and market volatility.
Small and medium-sized enterprises remain a key part of the economy, with over 44 million SMEs operating across Africa and contributing to employment and innovation.
The organisers noted that Founders Rant has evolved into a platform for sharing operational insights and addressing real business challenges faced by founders.
“Founders Rant was created because too many founders are building without enough honest context about what others are actually experiencing,” said Seyi Olaniyan, Convener of UnwindFest.
“This edition is about deepening those conversations, bringing more experienced voices into the room, and making sure founders are not just inspired, but better equipped to navigate what they are building in real time,” he added.
The organisers said the event is supported by partners including Cleva Banking, Tech Pression, Red Media Africa, and Condia.