Olugbenga Agboola is a Nigerian entrepreneur who founded Pixillion, a photo-editing software company. Olugbenga Agboola was recently named to Y Combinator’s 2017 winter and summer batches; he also participated in Endeavor’s accelerator program in Nairobi. The Nigerian startup ecosystem has been undergoing an overhaul with the rise of events like the Eko Gadget Show and these new investment sources that have been cropping up. Agboola is one of many high achievers emerging from Nigeria, such as Tayo Oviosu, founder of Paga, who is also based out of San Francisco.
- Early life
Olugbenga Agboola was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He attended Lagos State University, where he studied electrical and electronics engineering. He received a full scholarship to study at Stanford University in California. While at Stanford, Agboola learned of the Y Combinator startup incubator program and decided to pursue entrepreneurship. He was part of Y Combinator’s summer 2012 program and also participated in spring 2013. During this time, he worked on building Pixillion, a photo editing service used by celebrities, including Jay Z.
- Career
He introduced Venter to other Nigerian entrepreneurs and brought them together so that they could help promote young talent in Nigeria. Agboola also serves as an angel investor and advisor in Nigeria. Olugbenga Agboola is an active member of the tech community in Silicon Valley, particularly those involved in startups. He often holds events and business talks at the Facebook office, Google HQs, and the Y Combinator offices and has been doing this for years.He has been named to Y Combinator’s spring 2013 class and their fall 2014 class.
- Achievements
Olugbenga Agboola was named to Y Combinator’s 2017 Winter and Summer batches. He attended the Y Combinator office hours with other entrepreneurs in the Valley. This program helps aspiring entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley understand how to build their startups and be more successful at building businesses. In 2015, he was named as one of Forbes Africa’s 30 under 30 lists along with other Nigerian tech entrepreneurs like Tayo Oviosu, founder of Paga, and Sunny Ebiem, founder of iRoko. In 2016, Olugbenga Agboola was invited to give a TED talk at TEDx Lagos about his entrepreneurial journey.
Entrepreneurs must possess a relentless spirit, determination, and perseverance to be successful. Be honest about what you know and where you can improve instead of lying to yourself.” “You need passion and belief that you are going to win. It’s tough to be an entrepreneur, even if you have the best idea.