• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • Startups
  • Funding
  • Sponsored
Cjay Akonor

I Was The Geek, Who Knows Much About Many Kinds Of Tech” – Caryl Joshua Akonor

2 years ago
UK-Nigeria Tech Hub - techbuild

UK-Nigeria Tech Hub launches Virtual Capacity Building Programs

4 hours ago
Communications Service Providers - techbuild

Customers demand more Digital Engagement from Communications Service Providers – Amdocs Survey

5 hours ago
Founder Institute
Autochek - techbuild

Nigerian Startup Autochek opens in Accra to support Ghana’s Automotive Industry

9 hours ago
AWEC - techbuild

Apply: African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) 2021

9 hours ago
Next Health Accelerator - techbuild

African Entrepreneur? Apply for Next Health Accelerator Program (USD 15,000)

9 hours ago
Ayoba - techbuild

African Messaging App ayoba assures Users of Full Privacy Protection

11 hours ago
Ethereum - techbuild

Reasons Ethereum is hitting High in 2021

12 hours ago
NIN-SIM - techbuild

TIC records Significant progress in NIN-SIM Linkage Exercise

1 day ago
Global Water Award - techbuild

Apply for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award 2021 (USD1 million funding)

1 day ago
uLesson app

Nigerian Edtech startup uLesson raises $7.5mn Series A Funding

1 day ago
Lagos Ecosystem Canvas - techbuild

Founder Institute releases V2 of the Lagos Ecosystem Canvas

1 day ago
Project Africa GRADIENT - techbuild

GSK and Novartis announce Project Africa GRADIENT, launches USD 3.6 million Grant

1 day ago
Founder Institute Founder Institute Founder Institute
  • Home
  • About
  • Partners
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Signup to receive updates
  • en English
    en Englishfr Frenchar Arabicsw Swahilipt Portuguesede Germanes Spanishzh-CN Chinese (Simplified)
Innovation | Start-ups | Funding | Tech Blog in Africa
Advertisement
  • Home
  • Startups
  • Funding
  • Women Tech
  • Hubs
  • News
  • Interviews
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Startups
  • Funding
  • Women Tech
  • Hubs
  • News
  • Interviews
No Result
View All Result
Innovation | Start-ups | Funding | Tech Blog in Africa
No Result
View All Result
Home Interviews

I Was The Geek, Who Knows Much About Many Kinds Of Tech” – Caryl Joshua Akonor

David Okelezo by David Okelezo
3rd July 2019
in Interviews
Cjay Akonor

Cjay Akonor

Hi guys.

This is the second edition of “Time-out with start-ups” and if you have missed the previous edition, do check here.

Today, we caught up with Caryl Joshua Akonor, Co-Founder of Truckr, which is a technological base solution for logistics, freight and transportation services.

He shared his story, on how he and his Co-Founders, established Truckr, what they have achieved with it, so far, as well as other issues.

CFAmedia.ng: Kindly tell us about yourself?

Caryl: Primarily, I am a designer. I started from a background of graphic design and while in school, I started a design business.

I was printing T-shirts and making posters of campaign, for the Student Union Government.

I, eventually, became the lead designer for the union, where I was in charge of any program, or, activities, that were planned for.

Personally, I have always loved designs. It has been my passion, from when I was a child.

In 2017, I went to MEST, (Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology), program where I harnessed my skills and became a better designer.

It was there that, I understood the full scope of, how to build products, for emerging markets in Africa.

It was, when I was in MEST, that I learnt how to be a web and code designer.

Family-wise, I am the third of three children, born and raised in Accra, Ghana.

So far, so good, it has been a wonderful journey.

CFAmedia.ng: How did you connect with your Co-Founders?

Caryl: I met my Co-Founders at the MEST program, in 2017.

We connected, while working on a product and we clicked.

We have been working on Truckr, for more than a year now.

We started in February, 2018, after undertaking lots of research and also, spoke with lots of stakeholders, we landed and we were ready to go.

CFAmedia.ng: How did it all start for you in tech?

Caryl: I have always loved tech. I am the geek at home, who knows much, about any kind of tech.

When it comes to fixing mobile phones and television, I am the go-to guy, at home.

I decided to follow the design path because, that is where my passion is. MEST gave me the needed exposure and brought me into the tech ecosystem. In time, I became immersed in tech

CFAmedia.ng: Have you been in any ventures before the current one?

Caryl: I started my first business back, when I was in high school. I had an Advertising Agency, where I was handling printing materials, social media, web designing, branding, campaign posters, etc.

After I left high school, I did it for a while, before I left, to join an Agency on contract.

I worked there for 3 months, before I left, to join an NGO, where I was the head of design, for over a year.

In December 2016, I decided to quit and focus on my own business.

I have always been an entrepreneur, so, I just quit and focus on building my own thing.

I wanted to create a team that would build wonderful and world class designs.

At first, it was not picking up. I tried all that I could and pitched my ideas, to corporate outfits, investors and individuals, to win contracts.

Not until I heard about the MEST application and I applied in May 2017.

CFAmediang: Tell us about your current venture and how you came up with the idea?

Caryl: When I was in the MEST program, there was this other innovation that was going on.

It was called, the “Kosmos Innovation Center”, a competition where you create agritech startups that will compete for $50,000 equity funding.

During the program, I and one of my Co-Founders were taken on a tour across Ghana, to see everything that is agricultural-based.

It was during this time that, we got exposed, but we were having a recurring issue with transportation and logistics.

We realised that, there was a need for the pricing to be reduced and that was when, the idea of Truckr came to be.

CFAmedia.ng: What are the challenges currently faced with Truckr?

Caryl: The major challenges we are having, boils down to the fact that, there is a low adoption of technology here in Ghana.

As you know, most truck drivers are illiterate and encouraging them to adopt tech has been a little challenging, but with more training and awareness campaigns, in terms of tech sensitization, it will get better, with time.

Most of the drivers do not have smartphones, to access our user-friendly app, but we are trying to find a way around this.

One other challenge has to do, with finance.

To grow this start-up, we need investors, as access to funds will ensure that we scale faster, in order for us, to try new things in the market.

CFAmedia.ng: Have you raised money before?

Caryl: Yes, we raised $100,000 in the MEST program.

Once investors see that, the idea has potentials and it is scalable, they invest.

That was how we got the funding of the $100,000.

CFAmedia.ng: When you are not busy with running your start-up, what do you do for fun?

Caryl: If I am not busy with my start-up, I cycle and play rugby. I, usually, go to the gym after work, trying to stay fit.

CFAmedia.ng: Do you have a favorite book?

Caryl: My favorite book would be, “The Alchemist”

CFAmediang: It’s so nice having the chat with you Caryl and we wish you the very best of luck.

Caryl: Thank you so much. Much love and respect.


Do you have a story that is worth featuring? Get in touch via [email protected]

Related Posts

ponatshego5
Interviews

From Physical Stores to an Ecommerce Space, Ponatshego is supporting SMEs Survival

1 week ago
Farm Kiosk - techbuild
Interviews

How Farm Kiosk is Revolutionizing Agribusiness practice in East Africa

3 weeks ago
Etop Ikpe Autochek
Interviews

Autochek: Championing a Single Market Platform for Automotive Needs

1 month ago
MainOne data
Interviews

Adherence to Strong Corporate Governance, Key to MainOne’s Success – Solanke Abimbola

1 month ago

SIGNUP FOR UPDATES

RECENT

  • UK-Nigeria Tech Hub launches Virtual Capacity Building Programs
  • Customers demand more Digital Engagement from Communications Service Providers – Amdocs Survey
  • Nigerian Startup Autochek opens in Accra to support Ghana’s Automotive Industry
  • Apply: African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) 2021
  • African Entrepreneur? Apply for Next Health Accelerator Program (USD 15,000)

PREVIOUS

Join Founder Institute Join Founder Institute Join Founder Institute
ADVERTISEMENT
Innovation | Start-ups | Funding | Tech Blog in Africa

© 2013-2021 techbuild.africa. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Service

Follow us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Startups
  • Funding
  • Women Tech
  • Hubs
  • News
  • Interviews

© 2013-2021 techbuild.africa. All Rights Reserved.

en English
en Englishfr Frenchar Arabicsw Swahilipt Portuguesede Germanes Spanishzh-CN Chinese (Simplified)
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.