CHRIS FOLAYAN

About

Let me unleash your innovative genius.

Serial entrepreneur, leadership coach, inventor, public speaker and award-winning author. I've started and sold several companies and platforms over the past 25 years.

Chris Folayan

I know what it's like to have a shoestring budget, sit in front of a board, and raise millions from investors around the globe.

I founded a Silicon Valley based tech company at 20, after co-founding and exiting another tech venture. Since then I've built, scaled and sold multiple businesses and expanded one into 75 countries.

I've shared stages at the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and the London Stock Exchange, and spent time with UC Berkeley, Stanford and Harvard. Now my mission is simple: help you get your business up and running the best way I can.

I support, invest in, and mentor founders through organizations including Techstars, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Accelerate Africa, and UCLA School of Business. I also serve on boards across business and education, including Research Alpha, Othalo, Luma Learn, and San Jose State University.

I love hearing new ideas, helping founders navigate challenges, and investing in companies with the potential to make a meaningful impact. With more than 25 years of experience, I continue to learn from the people I work with. The opportunity to share my experiences, exchange ideas, and contribute to their success is a blessing I am deeply grateful for. I look forward to hearing your ideas and sharing my thoughts with you.

Schedule a call

Recognition

Honored along the way.

01Luminaire Award 2026
02Multiple Book Award-winning Author
03Top 2024 Global Entrepreneur Award Recipient
04Named Top Mentor and Advisor in GCC
05Named Top 700 Most Influential Africans
06Draper eCommerce Innovation Global Award Winner
07Multiple California State Legislature Awards
08Innovation Patent holder

The journey

AGE 20

Co-founded and exited a tech venture

The first build, the first exit and the hunger for the next one.

AN EARLY START TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Founded a Silicon Valley tech company

Learning to lead with a shoestring budget and a big vision, which turned into millions in sales.

HOW TO SCALE GLOBALLY

Expanded into 75 countries

Raised millions from investors globally and built and led 350+ team members.

TRIED RETIREMENT (NOT ALL THAT)

Ran away from that quickly

Netflix can only take you so far. I love working and helping people, so I started building businesses again and investing in a few companies globally. Currently Co-Founder of www.LumaLearn.ai and Founder of www.OCFX.com

Grew a unicorn

Expanded a Unicorn into North America

Headed up one of Africa's first unicorns to expand it into North America.

Today

Co-Founder, Mentor, Investor, Author, Podcaster

Running a few companies while mentoring founders worldwide to build, scale, and exit. While thanking God every step of the way.

My philosophy

P.I.N.K. H.U.G.

Passion

That self-motivated drive within you, focused on achieving your goals.

Innovation

Constantly coming up with something new and cutting-edge.

Networking

Surrounding yourself intentionally with people who can help you grow.

Knowledge

Constantly feeding your mind to better yourself and your business.

The H.U.G. — how you carry yourself

Humility

Stay coachable. You don't know everything, and the founders who listen are the ones who last.

Understanding

Read your people, your customers and your market before you act — empathy is a business strategy.

Gratitude

Give credit generously and thank the people who helped you get here.