EcoMint — Recycling & Incentive Platform (Web App Developed)
→
Summary
Led the strategic development of EcoMint, a web application designed to incentivize recycling through tokenized rewards and behavioral economics.
DEXTER CHISOM OLOCHA
Startup Founder | Product Strategist | Emerging Technologies Specialist
Port Harcourt, NG.About
Early-trajectory technologist and product strategist with a proven ability to transform ideation into execution across diverse startup environments. Expert in go-to-market strategy, emerging technologies, and systems thinking, consistently delivering scalable value creation and earning ecosystem trust through tangible results. Passionate about building and scaling innovative solutions that drive impact in emerging markets.
Work
iCOVE — Youth Innovation & Startup Ecosystem
|Chief of Staff, Mentor, and Startup Consultant
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
→
Summary
Orchestrated strategic programs and provided expert guidance within a youth innovation ecosystem, significantly enhancing startup viability and community engagement.
Highlights
Developed and executed ecosystem programs and strategic initiatives as an Executive Member, directly impacting over 50 youth innovators and early-stage founders.
Provided strategic consulting and execution guidance to 5+ early-stage founders, significantly enhancing product clarity, market positioning, and execution direction.
Contributed to founder evaluation and innovation-driven community initiatives, fostering a dynamic environment for emerging ventures.
Achieved public recognition as a Founding Mentor, featured in prominent media outlets like Techclout and ThisDay News.
EduTransConnect
|Founder & CEO
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
→
Summary
Founded and led a student mobility platform, transforming a concept into a functional product and achieving significant user adoption and national recognition.
Highlights
Built a student-focused mobility platform from concept to working product, enabling safer and more affordable intercity travel through trust-based coordination.
Achieved 1,830+ pre-launch signups across 15 universities with 5 active transport partners, validating an 87% willingness-to-pay.
Selected as a top-65 finalist from over 30,000 applicants in the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) program, securing national recognition for venture viability.
Led product framing, value proposition, and early go-to-market strategy, focusing on campus density and peer trust networks for rapid adoption.
Trashformas Nigeria Limited (Clean-Energy & Circular-Economy Startup)
|Chief Customer / Market Engagement Lead (CCO)
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
→
Summary
Directed customer discovery and market engagement strategies for a waste-to-energy startup, ensuring product-market fit and enhanced ecosystem visibility.
Highlights
Led comprehensive customer discovery, market engagement, and demand validation for a waste-to-energy (biogas) startup, securing critical insights for product development.
Conducted over 50 early-stage market research surveys, synthesizing findings to align product decisions directly with real customer needs and market opportunities.
Contributed significantly to narrative positioning and ecosystem visibility, resulting in the company being featured in Techparley.
Astra Fidelis (Your Money Guy)
|Investment & Financial Consulting Intern
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
→
Summary
Supported research and internal operations within an investment and financial consulting firm, gaining exposure to client advisory and financial education workflows.
Highlights
Supported research initiatives and internal operations, contributing to efficient workflow within an investment and financial consulting environment.
Gained exposure to client advisory processes, financial education methodologies, and investment communication strategies.
Observed real-world applications of finance principles, trust dynamics, and investor psychology in practical scenarios.
M-R International (MRsoft)
|Frontend Developer Intern (SIWES)
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
→
Summary
Completed intensive six-month industrial training in Frontend Web Development, building responsive interfaces and leading team coordination and problem-solving initiatives.
Highlights
Completed intensive six-month industrial training in Frontend Web Development, mastering HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, React, and Next.js.
Built responsive web interfaces and functional prototypes, adhering to UI/UX best practices and enhancing user experience.
Served as Team Representative, coordinating trainees and reporting progress to supervisors, ensuring efficient project execution.
Acted as Ideation Lead during internal problem-solving workshops, contributing to innovative solutions and process improvements.
Education
Madonna University
Akpugo Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria
→
B.Eng. (In Progress)
Computer Engineering
Awards
Most Resourceful Founder Award
Awarded By
Techparley
Recognized for exceptional resourcefulness and innovation as a founder.
Featured Founder
Awarded By
Techparley & TechBlit
Highlighted for significant contributions and leadership in the startup ecosystem.
076 in Drive 100 Top promising startups in Africa
Awarded By
Drive 100 Media Accelerator for Founders
Ranked among the top 100 most promising startups in Africa by Drive 100 Media Accelerator.
Public recognition as Founding Mentor at iCOVE
Awarded By
Techclout & ThisDay News
Acknowledged by leading news outlets for mentorship and contributions to the iCOVE ecosystem.
2nd Runner-Up - PH Tech Expo State-Level Startup Hackathon (EcoMint)
Awarded By
PH Tech Expo
Awarded second runner-up in a state-level hackathon for the EcoMint project.
S-VCG Finalist (Top 65 / ~30,000 applicants)
Awarded By
Student Venture Capital Grant Program
Recognized as a top finalist among 30,000 applicants for venture viability and founder capability.
Languages
English
Certificates
Frontend Web Development
Issued By
MR Soft Technologies International
Startup Development Course
Issued By
SDC Startup School
GTM Strategy Engineering & AI Automation
Issued By
Udemy
No-Code Mobile App Development
Issued By
Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA)
Blockchain for Beginners
Issued By
Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA)
LaunchpadX Accelerator Program
Issued By
Certificate of Completion
Skills
Engineering & Product
Frontend Development, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, No-Code Product Development (rapid MVPs), UI/UX Fundamentals, User Flows, Wireframing, Git, GitHub, VS Code, Figma (introductory).
Data, AI & Automation
Python for analysis and automation, Foundational machine learning concepts, AI-assisted workflows and process automation, Financial Modeling & Projections.
GTM & Strategy
Go-to-Market strategy design, Market positioning & value proposition design, Early user acquisition logic (communities, campuses, density-based rollout), Competitive analysis, Market research & validation, Investor Pitch & Deck Architecture.
Soft Skills & Operator Strengths
Strategic and first-principles thinking, High learning velocity and adaptability, Product intuition and problem framing, GTM thinking with execution bias, Clear communication, debate, and stakeholder alignment, Founder Mentorship & Program Ops, Early-Stage Venture Building.
Interests
Emerging Technologies & Entrepreneurship
Artificial intelligence, Financial markets, Investment strategy, Startup ecosystems, Clean energy, Blockchain and fintech, Emerging technologies, SDG-aligned development, Long-term wealth creation through scalable systems, Building toward a future where African founders shape global markets.
Projects
PayLess Tax Automation & Smart Compliance (Mobile app in development)
→
Summary
Co-developed the strategic vision for PayLess, an AI-driven mobile application aimed at simplifying tax compliance for Nigeria's digital earners.