Chris Folayan
Chris Folayan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nigeria |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | San Jose State University |
| Occupation(s) | Writer, lecturer, businessman |
Chris Folayan is an American writer, lecturer, and businessman.
Early life and education[edit]
Folayan was born and raised in Nigeria.[1] He later moved to California, United States, where he attended San Jose State University and graduated with a degree in marketing.[2]
Career[edit]
Folayan began his career in software development and initially worked for Quantum, a hard drive manufacturing company.[1] While at Quantum, he worked on the development of numerous technical patents. Eventually, he left Quantum and co-founded NTM, a digital music platform that specialized in indie music recording-to-digital rights and sales.
After his time at NTM, Folayan established OCFX Inc. As its chief executive, he helped OCFX collaborate with SONY, Quantum, LSI Logic, Accenture, Adobe, Cisco, EMC, Merrill Lynch, Elo, CapitalOne, and many others. Subsequently, Folayan launched MallforAfrica, one of Africa's largest e-commerce platforms. The platform started from his garage and eventually grew into an international company.[2] MallforAfrica partnered with U.S. retailers such as Barneys, Bloomingdale's, and Best Buy (BBY)[3] and was affiliated with eBay and DHL.[4]
Folayan has lectured at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business,[5] San Jose State University,[6] MIT,[7] Stanford, UCLA, and London School of Business, as well as mentoring students at those universities. He has also given talks at the United Nations (UN),[8] World Trade Organization (WTO),[9] London Stock Exchange, GITEX Global, The Wall Street Journal conference,[10] Bloomberg Global Business Forum (GEF), and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce Global Business Forum on Africa.[11] In 2019, he was part of the inaugural Global Business Forum Mentorship Programme by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.[12]
Additionally, Folayan has given talks at the Wilson Center[13] and World Affairs Council of Northern California.[14] He is represented by All American Speakers (AAE), which has a roster that includes executives such as Bill Gates.[15]
Books and media[edit]
In late 2021, Folayan wrote From Pitch To Close, a finance book. In 2023, he received the 2023 Literary Titan Gold Book Award,[16] as well as the 2023 Firebird Book Award. He has also written A Guide to Raising a CEO and Entrepreneur (2022)[17] and the e-book series Investor Pitch Practice Questions.[18]
Folayan has appeared in books such as The Next Africa (2015) by Jake Bright and Aubrey Hruby, and The New Leadership Literacies (2017) by Bob Johansen.[19] He has also appeared in The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNBC, CGTN,[20] USA Today,[21] and TechCrunch.[22]
In 2023, he launched a card game called Ready Set CEO.[23]
Memberships and affiliations[edit]
- San Jose State University (SJSU) – Innovation Advisory Council Member[24]
- University of California, Riverside (UCR) – Design Thinking Advisory Board Member
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Cross Border E-Commerce in Africa: Mall For Africa CEO Chris Folayan (Part 1)". Sramana Mitra. August 12, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ a b "Ecosystem Spotlight: Chris Folayan, Head of International Growth for Interswitch". February 17, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "Why Africa may be on the verge of an Internet boom". Fortune. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "MallforAfrica - Africa's Largest Online Shopping Platform". www.mallforafrica.com. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "BerkeleyHaas Magazine Summer 2017 Page 24". mydigitalpublication.com. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ SVCE Events, Fall 2014. San Jose State University.
- ^ Lee, Lin Sing. "MIT Africa Innovate Conference | Made in Africa". MIT Events. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "E-commerce and Developing Nations: Opportunities for Growth and Challenges | UNCTAD". unctad.org. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "TFAF at MC11: Public and private sector leaders exchange best practices to implement Trade Facilitation Agreement | TFAF". www.tfafacility.org. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "Speakers". WSJ Investing In Africa. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "GBF Africa 2017: For Africa by Africa". Dubai Chambers. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "Dubai Chamber highlights achievements of GBF Mentorship Programme". Dubai Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "Boosting Trade and Development by Tackling Africa's Supply Chain Challenges". Woodrow Wilson Center. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "The New Africa: Technology and Business on an Emerging Continent". World Affairs. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "Chris Folayan". www.allamericanspeakers.com. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "From Pitch to Close". May 18, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "Guide to Raising a CEO and Entrepreneur by Chris Folayan | Open Library". Open Library. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "Investor Pitch Practice Questions". Investor Pitch Practice Questions. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "BK Bookstore | Shop Books for Businesses and Company Events". Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "Mall for Africa looks to break into the continent's e commerce market". CGTN America. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ Mosher, Alexandra. "Silicon Valley watch out: Tech thriving in Africa". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "Chris Folayan". June 1, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "On National Entrepreneurs' Day, California Executive Launches Card Game 'Ready Set CEO,' to Unlock the Untapped Potential Within Every Aspiring Business Leader". markets.businessinsider.com. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "Innovation Advisory Council | Division of Research and Innovation". www.sjsu.edu. Retrieved January 1, 2024.