Gbemi Akande

Gbemi Akande Email and Phone Number

Executive Director @ Optimus AI Labs
Austin, TX, US
Gbemi Akande's Location
San Francisco Bay Area, United States, United States
Gbemi Akande's Contact Details

Gbemi Akande personal email

n/a
About Gbemi Akande

For over a decade, I have led and executed innovation strategy, product development using agile methodologies, business planning, growth and investment due diligence across the financial services and software sectors in both corporate innovation and high-growth startup settings. I am passionate about tech innovation. My work has covered: Innovation Consulting, Corporate Innovation, Product/Program Management, Venture Studios, Startup Accelerators/Incubators, Venture Capital and Startup Consulting. I have done this with organizations across Africa, Middle East and North America.My unique expertise is in having a thorough understanding of how products, process and people impact business objectives and help organizations grow.

Gbemi Akande's Current Company Details
Optimus AI Labs

Optimus Ai Labs

View
Executive Director
Austin, TX, US
Website:
optimusai.ai
Employees:
33
Gbemi Akande Work Experience Details
  • Optimus Ai Labs
    Executive Director
    Optimus Ai Labs
    Austin, Tx, Us
  • Stanford University Graduate School Of Business
    Sloan Fellow
    Stanford University Graduate School Of Business Jul 2023 - Present
    Stanford, Ca, Us
    Focus Areas: Enterprise Innovation & AI Strategy
  • Pacer Ventures
    Managing Partner
    Pacer Ventures Mar 2022 - Present
    Lagos, Ng
    I Co-founded Pacer Ventures, a Pre-seed VC Firm and Venture Studio, building and investing across the African Continent.Portfolio companies include Optimus AI Labs, Ziki.ai, Domineum Blockchain Solutions, Fuspay Technologies
  • Optimus Ai Labs
    Co-Founder & Executive Director
    Optimus Ai Labs Mar 2022 - Present
    Optimus AI Labs is an AI-native software development lab, serving enterprise clients across Europe, North America and Africa. We build applications 3X faster and at a fraction of the cost of traditional development shops. I am a co-founder and founding board member. Helping navigate the international expansion and strategic alliances around the world.
  • Elevate
    Director, Innovation
    Elevate Jan 2021 - Jun 2023
    Toronto, Ontario, Ca
    Elevate's innovation team partners with Canada's largest Enterprises to design execute their innovation strategies by creating innovation incubators programs and collaborations at the intersection of technology, arts, and social innovation.• Led the implementation and management of innovation programs in collaboration with industry partners• Built Canada’s first ecommerce and retail tech accelerator program as a partner with Moneris (Canada’s leading payments provider); within the incubator, led a program management team that Incubated 40+ early-to-growth stage startups across 6 cohorts, achieving a 10% MoM average sales growth, total fundraising of $25M+ and one exit; average net-promoter score across cohorts was eight• Led the startup incubator/accelerator program team focusing on sales, GTM operations, product strategy, product development, and fundraising strategy for startups; this program management involved 60+ stakeholders, mentors, domain experts, and contractors• Cultivated multi-year innovation partnerships with key clients, including some of Canada’s largest Corporations• Executed tech innovation programs aligned to the technology roadmap of clients; innovation programs were centered around exploring corporate-startup collaborations on emerging technologies• Recruited startups across Canada by prioritizing Women and Black-led founders
  • The Dmz
    Program Manager (Accelerator / Innovation Programs)
    The Dmz 2020 - 2021
    Toronto, Ontario, Ca
    The DMZ is Canada's leading Startup Accelerator with over 800 startups incubated and $2.5Billion in total funding raised. My work included the following:•Managed the DMZ Accelerator Program (Canada’s YCombinator), working directly with SaaS andCybersecurity startups on product strategy, marketing, customer success, and operations; managed aportfolio of 25+ startups with 12% average growth during and after the accelerator cohort program.•Worked with 50+ early-stage startups on product strategy and design sprints using frameworks like leanstartup and design thinking toolkits
  • Tribalscale
    Technical Program Manager
    Tribalscale Jan 2019 - Feb 2020
    Toronto, Ontario, Ca
    • Led end-to-end development of Over-the-Top (OTT) streaming products across Android, Roku, and FireTV platforms, ensuring seamless user experiences and high performance• Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including engineering, design, and marketing, to deliver feature-rich OTT applications within tight deadlines, prioritizing features based on user insights, competitive analysis, and technical feasibility• Managed platform-specific requirements, optimizing video streaming, navigation, and performance for device compatibility across Android, Roku, and FireTV• Monitored and improved product performance, achieving 20%+ increase in engagement each quarter• Oversaw integration of third-party services, such as analytics tools, payment gateways, and ad SDKs, to enhance user engagement and monetization
  • Tribalscale
    Product Operations Manager, Venture Studios
    Tribalscale Nov 2017 - Feb 2019
    Toronto, Ontario, Ca
    TribalScale Venture Studio is a division of TribalScale. The Venture Studio focuses on creating software products and launching + scaling them as new businesses in collaboration with entrepreneurs, corporations, and investors.• Designed and executed the Venture Studio innovation program; oversaw the entire process which included ideation, product development, project management, business strategy, investment and launch • Managed a cross functional team which included product managers, designers and engineers to plan and develop scope, deliverables, required resources, work plan, budget and launch of new initiatives• Achieved one Exit in 12 months of operations
  • Emirates Nbd
    Product Innovation Manager (Leading Fintech Pocs & Internal Innovation Lab)
    Emirates Nbd 2015 - 2017
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Ae
    Emirates NBD is the largest Banking Group in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. My work included the following:• Developed an innovation process while working with multiple cross-functional teams. Managed multiple emerging technology product development projects, working with software engineering and design teams• Led partnerships with over 100+ fintech startups in multiple countries, developing proof of concepts in emerging technologies
  • Turn8
    Innovation Associate
    Turn8 Oct 2012 - Mar 2015
    Denver, Us
    My role as Innovation Strategy Consultant involved the development of innovation strategies for enterprise clients, and also managing product innovation, business model design and go-to-market planning within a startup accelerator.
  • Various Startups (Ecommerce, Professional Services)
    Strategist
    Various Startups (Ecommerce, Professional Services) 2008 - 2011

Gbemi Akande Skills

Business Strategy Business Development Market Research Strategy Entrepreneurship Start Ups Management Management Consulting Project Management Market Analysis Marketing Marketing Strategy Leadership Competitive Analysis Strategic Planning Team Leadership Training Analysis Project Planning Change Management Business Analysis Analytical Skills Business Planning Innovation Management Sales Product Innovation Negotiation Consulting Innovation Social Entrepreneurship New Business Development Digital Marketing Team Management Sales Management Public Relations Strategic Consulting Program Management Research Cross Functional Team Leadership Forecasting Direct Sales

Gbemi Akande Education Details

  • Stanford University Graduate School Of Business
    Stanford University Graduate School Of Business
    Management
  • Hult International Business School
    Hult International Business School
    Master Of Business Administration (Mba)
  • University Of Ilorin, Nigeria
    University Of Ilorin, Nigeria
    Mechanical Engineering

Frequently Asked Questions about Gbemi Akande

What company does Gbemi Akande work for?

Gbemi Akande works for Optimus Ai Labs

What is Gbemi Akande's role at the current company?

Gbemi Akande's current role is Executive Director.

What is Gbemi Akande's email address?

Gbemi Akande's email address is gb****@****nbd.com

What schools did Gbemi Akande attend?

Gbemi Akande attended Stanford University Graduate School Of Business, Hult International Business School, University Of Ilorin, Nigeria.

What are some of Gbemi Akande's interests?

Gbemi Akande has interest in Teaching, Social Services, Freelance Writing, Travelling, Education, Board Game Designing.

What skills is Gbemi Akande known for?

Gbemi Akande has skills like Business Strategy, Business Development, Market Research, Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Start Ups, Management, Management Consulting, Project Management, Market Analysis, Marketing, Marketing Strategy.

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