How bootstrapped Nigerian startups are thriving against the odds in 2025

Following the global funding slowdown since 2022, a harsh funding climate has once again made bootstrapping—financing your startup—appealing. Historically, fundraising has been daunting for early-stage and first-time founders who lack the network to secure venture capital (VC) funding, forcing them to rely on their capital, family, and friends while seeking revenue from the outset. Additionally, some businesses have chosen bootstrapping to alleviate the growth pressures associated with VC funding. The stigma surrounding bootstrapped businesses has significantly diminished, as several have developed robust business models that generate income from day one, demonstrating strong unit economics and financial efficiency.

In Africa, where venture funding dropped by 25% in 2024, we spoke with some of these Nigerian-born and focused businesses and their founders whose bootstrapping efforts have not gone unnoticed and have created valuable contributions to the Nigerian technology ecosystem. From streamlining laundry services to simplifying regulatory hurdles for healthcare products, these bootstrapped companies are making a significant impact. They’re not just surviving; they’re thriving, driven by a relentless focus on customer needs and a commitment to sustainable growth.

Irene Nwaukwa and Infinity Health Africa: Irene Nwaukwa, founder of Infinity Health Africa, is tackling a major pain point for healthcare businesses: navigating the complex web of regulatory approvals for drugs and medical devices in Africa. Infinity Health Africa simplifies this process with its regulatory technology platform, helping companies bring their products to market faster and more efficiently. To date, they’ve managed 64 product submissions and supported three manufacturing facilities. Nwaukwa’s journey hasn’t been easy. She nearly had to shut down the business earlier this year, but a key client win kept them afloat. Funding remains a challenge, but their focus on delivering value keeps them going.

Charles Dairo and Beezop: Charles Dairo’s Beezop is an AI-powered process and workflow management platform designed to help fast-growing businesses reduce errors, deliver consistent quality, and scale operations sustainably. Beezop is growing significantly year-on-year, powering process management for businesses in four countries and across seven industries. Dairo describes bootstrapping Beezop as both a challenge and a rewarding journey. From day one, their focus has been on sustainable growth, forcing them to be strategic, prioritize efficiency, and truly understand their customers’ needs. They’ve built a small but highly focused team with a product-first mentality. While they’re open to future partnerships with strategic investors, they’re proud of the roadmap, culture, and growth strategy they’ve built independently.

Arinze Chinazom and Autogirl: Arinze Chinazom is building the “Airbnb of vehicles” in Africa with Autogirl. The platform connects car owners with renters, providing a reliable income source for owners while giving individuals and businesses access to quality vehicles. Autogirl is addressing the challenges of underutilized vehicles, unemployment, and the need for accessible transportation. In 2024 alone, they paid approximately 1 billion naira to car owners. Impressively, they are currently bootstrapped and profitable.

Uche Ukonu Jnr and smallChops.ng: Uche Ukonu Jnr’s smallChops.ng leverages the excess production capacity of medium to large-scale African food producers to build culturally relevant global food brands. They combine this with technology-enabled direct-to-customer logistics. SmallChops.ng helps reduce production waste for their partners while offering affordable, world-class food product brands directly to consumers. They’ve delivered over 1 million food products to more than 15,000 users, and the technology they built to run operations is now being used by two other companies in food and logistics. Ukonu describes his bootstrapping journey as tough but rewarding, a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but ultimately fulfilling.

Olawale Adegoke and Nimbus Media: Olawale Adegoke founded Nimbus Media in 2011, empowering brands in Africa to boost their bottom line through an extensive network of innovative and impactful advertising solutions. Nimbus Media addresses the challenge of real-world visibility and brand discovery, helping businesses connect with their audiences. Since its inception, Nimbus Media has achieved consistent year-on-year growth for a decade without external investment. Despite pandemic challenges, they adapted their business model and are positioned to return to profitability in 2025. Starting with just one location, they have expanded to directly operate 18 proprietary sites. They initially raised funds through family and friends and have been bootstrapping ever since, demonstrating resilience and financial discipline.

Gbenga Aleshinloye and Dezigntees: Gbenga Aleshinloye’s Dezigntees is an innovative custom apparel brand that empowers customers to create personalized clothing through a user-friendly platform. They emphasize sustainability, quality, and a seamless shopping experience. Aleshinloye recognizes the challenges faced by creative graphic artists in Nigeria, including high production costs, supply chain issues, and monetization difficulties. A current milestone for Dezigntees is the planned launch of a new line of tech-integrated apparel by March 2025. Aleshinloye’s bootstrapping journey has involved meticulous market research, building a strong brand identity, and focusing on product development and online presence. He’s now exploring partnerships to scale operations while maintaining his commitment to sustainability.

Omotola Oreayo Olaifa and Anywash App: Omotola Oreayo Olaifa’s Anywash App is an on-demand, multi-vendor laundry service app connecting customers with vetted laundry operators in their area. Anywash App addresses the operational inefficiencies and lack of market access faced by small and medium-scale laundry operators. It also provides a more accessible and convenient way for customers to order laundry services. In just six months, they’ve processed over 4,000 orders, connecting over 1,000 customers to more than 300 laundry service operators across Lagos and Ogun States. This has led to a significant increase in revenue for many of these small businesses. Anywash App has raised $6,000 in equity and grants and uses micro-influencers for marketing to keep operations within budget.

Adegoke Oyeniyi and TechPR Africa: Adegoke Oyeniyi, former Editor-in-Chief of TechCabal, founded TechPR Africa, a leading public relations platform specializing in press release distribution, media analytics, and strategic communications for international companies seeking PR solutions in Africa. Since its founding in 2019, the firm has successfully managed campaigns for multinational corporations like Techstars Global and dLocal, energy companies like Taleveras, and numerous Y Combinator and Techstars companies and startups. TechPR Africa has secured media coverage for its clients in top-tier publications across the continent including Forbes Africa, TechCabal, Quartz, CNBC Africa, Arise TV, and BBC Africa.

While the operating business environment is challenging due to rising inflation, low consumer spending power, inadequate power, and overall infrastructure deficits, these Nigerian startups have demonstrated resilience and innovation that has helped them stay afloat and thrive during the tough times associated with startup building.

These Nigerian startups demonstrate that with vision, determination, and a customer-centric approach, it is possible to build successful businesses without significant external funding. They are creating innovative solutions, driving economic growth, and creating opportunities within their communities, proving to be great examples for new franchises in the country.