#CNBizFair 2018: Introducing Simeon Ononobi

If you are a Techie nerd or an ICT fan, we’ve got you covered in our list of invited speakers. Mr Simeon Ononobi is a Business Manager and Software Analyst/Engineer, who has designed Mobile Applications and Software Solutions, for both the Government and Blue chip companies. Although he is a graduate of Biochemistry from the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri, he is a self-taught coder. His journey as a tech-preneur started when he was 16 years of age. While he was still in FUTO, he created solutions like Compuversity (Tech platform for teaching other students how to use technology). He also started a project he called BUMP (Back Up My Phone), a complex backup system allowed users to back up phone content. He later started a company called Do-My-Stuff, and got the contract to design GTBank’s first mobile lifestyle application called MoVe. That move led to his developing various solutions, ranging from mobile to web portals. During the 2007 elections, Simeon designed the LetMyVoteCount mobile tracking site for the elections. He was contracted by the Ministry of Finance to create the YouWiN! Web portal and marking software. He was also signed up by Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to develop her World Bank presidency campaign website and online presence. Since then, he has been developing software and rendering top-notch services to his highly valued clients. Mr Simeon Ononobi is the founder and CEO of SimplePay Payment Gateway, an online platform that allows Nigerian Businesses accept Card payments online. Some call it, the Nigerian version of PayPal, and it was created in 2011. In 2013,  SimplyPay was awarded “Best Nigerian Startup” in the 2013 edition of Seedstars Startup Competition in Lagos. SimplePay, later, went on to win second place at Seedstars Geneva Global competition for Startups. Emerging as a 1st runner-up at such a global event, enabled Simeon to secure $330,000 in funding. In less than two years, the SimplePay startup grew to 60,000 transactions a month, amounting to about 80 to 100 million Naira. Over the years, it has also gotten recommendations from Interswitch for its Fraud detection system, from Etranzact Business for its innovation and service delivery, and also, a support recommendation from Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank). He is a Co-Founder and currently, the Chief Innovations Officer at Thank U (Connected Analytics Limited). Thank U, a networked loyalty and rewards platform, which was formed in 2016 is a product of Sidon Media. Sidon Media is another company founded by Simeon in 2015, and it also acts an umbrella body for MyAdsGlobal, whose signature product is the Patented MyAds app. The Thank U platform allows customers that shop at partner Thank U locations, get rewarded every time they shop. Now unlike the traditional rewards and loyalty platforms, rewards gained in one place can be spent in multiple areas that accept the Thank U card. Rewards that are given back to the customers are given in the form of cash back. Cashback is merely a percentage of the customer’s purchase given back to the customer every time they shop. Now, the existence of THANK U sounds like good news for binge shoppers and impulse buyers. Simeon Ononobi is a man committed to contributing to the entrepreneurial space in Nigeria, and indeed Africa, and he makes time available for mentoring the next generation of tech-preneurs. He has been invited to speak at the Mobile West Africa Event in 2015 and the Seedstars Africa Event in Casablanca, Morocco in 2016. He was also one of the guest speakers at the Connect Nigeria e-Business Fair 2017. Get ready to hear him speak at this year’s Connect Nigeria Business Fair comes up on the 3rd February 2018. The Fair spans the whole day from 9 am – 7 pm, and it will be taking place at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Attendance is free, but registration is required. For more enquiries about how to sponsor, exhibit, or register, kindly log on to www.connectnigeria.com/bizfair or call 0700 800 5000.

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This article was first published on 2nd February 2018

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