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

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Chief of Staff, Mentor, and Startup Consultant

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

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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

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Founder & CEO

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

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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)

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Chief Customer / Market Engagement Lead (CCO)

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

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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)

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Investment & Financial Consulting Intern

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

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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)

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Frontend Developer Intern (SIWES)

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

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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
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B.Eng. (In Progress) Computer Engineering

Awards

Most Resourceful Founder Award

Techparley

Recognized for exceptional resourcefulness and innovation as a founder.

Featured Founder

Techparley & TechBlit

Highlighted for significant contributions and leadership in the startup ecosystem.

076 in Drive 100 Top promising startups in Africa

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

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)

PH Tech Expo

Awarded second runner-up in a state-level hackathon for the EcoMint project.

S-VCG Finalist (Top 65 / ~30,000 applicants)

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

MR Soft Technologies International

Startup Development Course

SDC Startup School

GTM Strategy Engineering & AI Automation

Udemy

No-Code Mobile App Development

Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA)

Blockchain for Beginners

Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA)

LaunchpadX Accelerator Program

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

EcoMint — Recycling & Incentive Platform (Web App Developed)

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Summary

Led the strategic development of EcoMint, a web application designed to incentivize recycling through tokenized rewards and behavioral economics.

PayLess Tax Automation & Smart Compliance (Mobile app in development)

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Summary

Co-developed the strategic vision for PayLess, an AI-driven mobile application aimed at simplifying tax compliance for Nigeria's digital earners.