Owllup, a Nigerian startup founded in 2023 by Chimaobi Stanley Anyanwu, is aiming to merge mentorship, community, and commerce to help young creators and tech professionals turn their skills into income.
The platform offers structured learning, real-world projects, and a marketplace where users can provide services and receive payments seamlessly through digital wallets and an integrated escrow system.
“I kept meeting talented people who were eager to build a career in tech and the creative economy,” Anyanwu says. “But the problem young people have in Nigeria is that they lack access to mentorship.”
Anyanwu observed a generation of ambitious young people caught in social media loops, performing “stupid things just to trend,” because there was no clear path to professional growth. Now, he wants to solve this by creating a digital neighbourhood for young Nigerians to learn, validate their skills, and earn.
What you need to know
Unlike platforms that focus solely on education or networking, Owllup integrates both, with a fintech layer. In January 2026, the startup embedded a full suite of financial tools, including digital wallets and an e-commerce marketplace.
“Fintech was a natural extension of the mission; empowering young people not just to learn but to earn and grow independently,” Anyanwu explains.
The platform offers a seamless value proposition for its users:
- Learning: Users join interest-based communities in tech, design, and the creator economy, gaining structured mentorship and guidance.
- Validation: Participants showcase their skills through annual hackathons and live projects. The current cohort features nine developers building real products directly on the platform.
- Monetisation: Skilled users list their services on the Owllup marketplace. Clients can hire, manage projects, and pay via an escrow system — all within the app.
Traction and the low-data advantage
Despite being a bootstrapped venture, Owllup has demonstrated strong product-market fit. The platform says it currently has over 5,000 users and has generated millions in revenue from e-ticketing and marketplace transactions since inception.
Anyawu has also optimised Owllup for Nigeria’s low-data environment. Recognising the high cost of mobile data and unstable connectivity, the platform is lightweight and accessible, ensuring that economic participation is not limited to users with fibre-optic internet.
Anyawu’s approach is long-term. Focused on building a purpose-driven platform, Owllup avoids the noise of traditional social media in favour of meaningful impact.
While currently focused on Nigeria, the startup plans to expand into the UK to serve the African diaspora.
“This year, we are transitioning into the UK to serve the African diaspora,” Anyanwu says. “The goal is to facilitate cross-border payments and business activities, allowing those abroad to engage seamlessly with talent and services back home.”
By July 2026, he plans to add hotel and transport services, moving closer to creating a super-app for the daily lives of Africans.
Impact beyond Owllup
Anyawu’s influence extends beyond his startup. In 2023, he founded the Nigerian Tech and Innovation Awards (NTIA), a technology-led initiative recognising emerging talent and supporting underrepresented groups in tech.
The platform hosts annual awards, masterclasses, and ecosystem programmes to improve visibility and access for early-stage innovators.
Through TDBizz Limited, he has led structured mentorship and sponsorship programmes that equip young people, particularly female entrepreneurs, with skills in content creation, branding, and monetisation.
Anyawu has also contributed to Nigeria’s tech ecosystem as a mentor at the 2025 Data Immersed (TDI) Tech Summit, where Owllup served as the official sponsor of the TDI Hackathon, providing funding and career opportunities for participants.
Talking Points
Owllup has built a platform that combines mentorship, community, and fintech, addressing a critical barrier for young Nigerians who want to turn their skills into income.
By integrating structured learning with hackathons and live projects, the startup ensures users not only develop their skills but also validate them in real-world contexts, preparing them for market-ready work.
At Techparley, we see how this model bridges the gap between talent and financial independence, allowing creators to monetise their skills without leaving the platform.
The addition of an integrated marketplace and digital wallet means users can manage projects end-to-end and receive payments securely, making economic participation more seamless and reliable.
Owllup has optimised its platform for low-data environments, recognising the high cost of mobile data and unstable connectivity in Nigeria, ensuring that access is not limited to those with high-speed internet.
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