As hybrid experiences become the new normal across the entertainment industry, Quilo, a Nigerian startup, is positioning itself at the forefront of digital event streaming.
Quilo is creating a bridge between physical events and virtual audiences, enabling people to experience premium, ticketed events from anywhere in the world. For event organisers, the startup says this innovation doesn’t just enhance reach; it unlocks an entirely new revenue stream.
In this edition of Techparley’s DRIVE100, where we spotlight Africa’s most promising and impactful startups, we turn our attention to Quilo, founded by Femi Bandele, that is redefining how premium events are streamed and monetised online.
“We solve the problem of accessing premium events through digital platforms,” Bandele told Techparley. “To provide context, we partner with event organizers to stream their events so more people can connect and in turn, generate more revenue for the organizers.”
What You Should Know
Quilo is solving a problem that has plagued the event industry for years, which is the inability of fans to access premium or paid events virtually, and the difficulty organisers face in monetising their online audiences.
Through its model, Quilo says it helps event organisers amplify their reach beyond physical venues while ensuring audiences enjoy the convenience of watching their favourite concerts, talks, or experiences online.
Its key features, including secure ticketing and high-quality streaming through a private server, guarantee a smooth and exclusive digital experience.
“Users get convenience, organisers make more profit, and Quilo also keeps a share,” Bandele adds with a smile.
Standing Out in a Crowded Streaming Landscape
While platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram Live have popularised video streaming, most lack the pay-per-view functionality that allows direct monetisation. That’s where Quilo stands apart.
Unlike open-source or social media-based platforms, Quilo empowers hosts to convert streams directly into revenue, ensuring exclusivity and control over access.
Since its inception, Quilo has made remarkable progress. According to the startup, it has already developed its web application, successfully streamed three major events, and secured partnerships with renowned brands.
Bandele proudly reveals that Quilo is already revenue-positive, a rare feat for an early-stage startup.
“We’re also lined up for four other major events with brands like TEDx and Mavin Records,” he says. “We’ve built a solid production team that ensures every stream meets professional standards.”
Meet the Team
The driving force behind Quilo is a lean but highly experienced team.
At the helm is Femi Bandele, a full-stack developer with over 10 years of experience and a background in documentary photography. The startup founder says his work in photography exposed him to the media and streaming ecosystem, shaping his understanding of how audiences consume live content.
His co-founder, Daniel, brings strong entrepreneurial acumen and deep networks within the entertainment industry.
“Daniel’s an entrepreneur and a business developer. With a wide range of network in the entertainment industry which has helped us secure major partnerships,” Bandele notes.
Before launching Quilo, Bandele worked as a freelance software developer, experimenting with various ideas until finding the right product–market fit in the event streaming niche.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite its progress, Bandele reveals the journey hasn’t been without hurdles. According to him, the major challenge is funding.
“We’ve been bootstrapping operations since inception. It’s tough, but it keeps us disciplined and forces us to innovate with limited resources.”
In the next 12 months, the startup plans to launch a mobile app, host its own branded events, and partner with organisations to deliver projects with both social and economic impact.
In the longer term, Quilo also aims to open its platform to creators, allowing them to sell and monetise their own streams.
When asked about how the government can support startups like Quilo, Bandele is clear. He said the government can provide funding and mentorship programmes for founders to help them scale faster. He also believes venture capitalists can do more beyond funding.
What This Means
Globally, the live-streaming market size was estimated at $87.55 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $345.13 billion by 2030. Analysts say these numbers underline how monetised streaming of live events is shifting from a fringe model to a major component of the digital entertainment economy.
For a startup targeting premium event streaming and monetised virtual‐audiences in Africa, these regional figures signal both large untapped potential and the need for scaling alongside infrastructure and behavioural developments.
According to experts, Quilo’s story reflects a new generation of African startups determined to solve real problems using technology.
By turning virtual audiences into paying participants, many industry leaders say the company is changing how events are experienced and monetised across the continent.
Talking Points
It is remarkable how Quilo is reimagining access to premium events through digital streaming, addressing one of the biggest limitations in Africa’s entertainment industry, the gap between physical attendance and virtual participation.
By enabling organisers to stream exclusive, ticketed events to paying online audiences, Quilo has created a sustainable model that expands reach while unlocking new revenue streams for creators, artists, and event hosts.
At Techparley, we see how this innovation could redefine how Africans experience entertainment, education, and culture; breaking the boundaries of geography and affordability that have long limited participation in premium events.
As Quilo builds, there’s immense opportunity to collaborate with content creators, media houses, and event promoters to shape the next era of digital entertainment.
With strategic support from investors and policymakers, Quilo could emerge not just as a streaming service, but as a catalyst for Africa’s creative and digital economy, democratising access, boosting inclusion, and monetising creativity at scale.
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