Startups need funds to survive, whether that funding comes from investors or is generated internally through bootstrapping. However, for many startups chasing external capital, the hard truth is that it may never come. The good news is that your business might just be your golden goose, with or without funding.
If you are wondering how, that’s exactly what Douglas Kendyson, the Founder and CEO of Selar, will bring to the table at the Lagos Startup Expo 2.0 happening June 18-19, 2025, at the Landmark Centre, Lagos.
His masterclass, titled “An African Founder’s Guide to Bootstrapping,” is a timely session designed for early-stage founders looking to build sustainable businesses with minimal funding.
At a time when venture capital across Africa is tightening and many startups are scaling back, this masterclass will provide practical, hard-won lessons on navigating those early days without depending heavily on outside investment.
Why this masterclass matters
As a startup founder, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “Build it, they will come.” But how do you actually build when cash is tight? How do you find product-market fit, gain early traction, and generate revenue, all while staying lean? This session will answer those exact questions.
Douglas is no stranger to the startup journey. Prior to founding Selar, he worked at two of Africa’s leading unicorns, Flutterwave and Paystack (before its acquisition), and went on to build Selar into Africa’s foremost platform for digital creators. Selar has empowered over 1.5 million users, facilitating more than $10 million in payouts to creators selling everything from eBooks to online courses.
By bootstrapping Selar from the ground up, Douglas has firsthand knowledge of what it takes to build sustainably, stay scrappy, and thrive in a resource-constrained environment.
Who should attend?
- Startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs
- Business owners looking to scale without external funding
- Tech professionals considering the entrepreneurial path
- Operators at early-stage ventures
If you’re building something and capital is scarce, this is a must-attend session. Douglas will walk attendees through real-world, step-by-step strategies on launching lean, creating customer-first products, and growing a startup organically.
Get your tickets now
Seats are limited; secure your VIP Masterclass ticket now to gain access to this and other exclusive masterclass sessions. Register at lagosstartupexpo.com.
Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at LSE 2.0?
Let’s help you connect with 3,000+ attendees across Africa’s tech and business landscape. Visit lagosstartupexpo.com/exhibitor or send an email to business@techpoint.africa to get started.
