Why Great Ideas Die: Fixing the Funding Gap

In this episode of Seed Diaries, we sit down with Kehinde “Ken” Oyeleke, Group Managing Director of Seedvest Group, to explore leadership, funding, and the realities of building sustainable financial institutions in Nigeria. Ken shares insights from his journey from working in corporate finance at Arthur Andersen and PwC in New York to returning to Nigeria and founding Seedvest in 2002 to drive financial inclusion for micro-entrepreneurs and SMEs. He speaks candidly about why funding remains the biggest challenge for businesses, and what founders often misunderstand about access to capital. The conversation also dives into leadership and people management, from why starting with limited funds can enforce discipline and structure, to handling ethical breaches, building accountable teams, and making tough decisions around performance and integrity. Ken offers practical, experience-backed lessons for entrepreneurs, leaders, and operators navigating growth in complex environments. Whether you’re a founder, SME operator, investor, or leader, this episode delivers grounded insights on finance, discipline, ethics, and sustainable growth. 🎧 Subscribe to Seed Diaries, catch the full episode and set your reminder to listen to more revealing and inspiring stories from industry leaders.