In a business ecosystem often dominated by polished success stories, UnwindFest (powered by YellowLyfe) is returning to Lagos on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, with a different mission: a candid, unfiltered look at the grit behind the growth. The 10th edition of its flagship storytelling series, Founders Rant X, will convene over 150 CEOs and entrepreneurs at Alliance Française Lagos for a deep dive into the human and operational complexities of building in Africa.
This milestone 6th year for UnwindFest signals a shift from inspiration to “honest context,” providing a safe room for founders to exhale and exchange practical frameworks for surviving a volatile market.
Keynote: The Landmark Blueprint
The 2026 edition features a heavyweight lineup led by Paul Onwuanibe, Founder and CEO of Landmark Africa. Onwuanibe, a visionary in the real estate and hospitality space, will deliver the keynote address. His session is expected to focus on:
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The Architecture of Resilience: Scaling a multi-billion naira destination like Landmark through regulatory shifts and economic cycles.
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The Future of Entrepreneurship: Navigating the intersection of infrastructure, tourism, and indigenous enterprise.
A Coalition of Real-World Insights
The event brings together diverse voices across real estate, media, and technology to peel back the “polished layers” of leadership. Featured speakers include:
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Katharina Link: CEO of Pulse Africa, offering perspective on the pan-African media and digital landscape.
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Kehinde Ogundare: Country Manager at Zoho Africa, focusing on enterprise technology and sustainable operations.
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Damilola Teida, Fola Olatunji David, and Kelechi Nwaozuzu: Each bringing expertise in investment, community building, and operational scale.
The “Rant” Format: Turning Weight into Wisdom
Unlike traditional conferences, Founders Rant X is designed as a communal “exhale.” The convener of UnwindFest, Seyi Olaniyan, noted that the platform was born out of a need for transparency. “Too many founders are building without enough honest context about what others are actually experiencing,” he explained.
The May 13th event will focus on:
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Founder Rant Sessions: Direct Q&A where participants ask the “unspoken” questions about team management, pricing models, and navigating uncertainty.
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Implementation Labs: Moving beyond the “what” to the “how” of business decisions.
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Collaborative Support: Breaking down the loneliness of leadership by connecting early-stage founders with growth-stage operators.
Strategic Partnerships for Growth
Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, Founders Rant X is supported by Cleva Banking and Tech Pression. These partnerships aim to equip founders with both the financial tools and the narrative visibility required to build businesses that last.
As the Nigerian startup scene moves past the era of performative hustle, spaces like Founders Rant X are becoming essential “breathing rooms” for the builders of the economy. Tickets and updates for the Lagos edition are available via the official UnwindFest portal.
