On December 17, 2025, a small group of Lagos builders gathered for the first edition of Consonance Connect.
Unlike typical tech events filled with panels and polished presentations, this session was built around open dialogue. The goal was simple: bring people who are actively building into one room and let them talk about what actually works, what doesn’t, and what no one usually says out loud.
The evening centred around a conversation with Kelvin Umechukwu (CEO of Bumpa) and Opeyemi Awoyemi (Co-founder of Jobberman, serial entrepreneur). Kelvin spoke candidly about the realities of building a startup in Nigeria, including early funding struggles, hiring the right people, refining product-market fit, and navigating regulation. Opeyemi Awoyemi also shared insights from his experience building products and teams, and from backing and advising early-stage companies across the continent.
Rather than delivering a prepared talk, they responded directly to questions from the audience, creating a grounded and practical discussion.
What was planned as a short evening stretched well beyond schedule, not because of programming, but because people didn’t want to leave. Conversations continued, connections were exchanged, and collaborations were discussed on the spot. It felt less like an event and more like a working session among people who are actively building.
Consonance Connect Lagos I reaffirmed the need for smaller, more intentional spaces within Africa’s tech ecosystem—spaces where people can speak honestly, learn from each other, and form meaningful relationships without the pressure of performance.
Plans are already underway for Consonance Connect Lagos II in Q1 2026, with a continued focus on practical insights borne from experience and real conversations.
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