GrinaPay

I genuinely wish I could share her voice note with you:  The joy in her voice was unmistakable, radiating through every word. She expressed disbelief at the new reality we presented to her. When we first informed her that we could manage the missing fees and project funds for her family back home, a wave of laughter escaped her. “It sounds too easy,” she remarked, her skepticism palpable. “There must be a catch,” she added, reflecting her cautious nature. Living in the UK, she was just one of many Africans in the diaspora, laboring tirelessly to support her loved ones back home. Despite her efforts, she often found herself consumed by worry about the money she sent. Too frequently, her remittances became entangled in chaos, manifesting as delays and unaccounted funds. Projects that she initiated often remained incomplete, and bills sat unpaid, creating a cycle of stress and anxiety. The constant need to follow up only added to her burdens, leaving her feeling powerless. When we i...

 “In reality, you do not possess the complete authority to define and endorse an exceptional solution; the users are the sole individuals who possess that capability.” This statement may seem provocative, particularly to founders, developers, or product designers who invest significant effort into developing a service or platform they genuinely believe is groundbreaking. However, the deeper truth embedded within these words can significantly influence the trajectory of any venture. It is not merely about what we create; it is fundamentally about who we’re building it for and whether they perceive it as a viable solution at all. When we embarked on our journey with GrinaPay , we were not equipped with all the answers. We lacked millions in funding, a partnership with a Fortune 500 company, or a viral launch campaign to propel us forward. However, what we did possess was a clear vision and, most importantly, a profound and empathetic understanding of a very real, very personal probl...

 In this startup life, everywhere you turn, you go hear the same stories: “This startup raised one million dollars.” “That startup raised five million and still shut down.” “Another one just raised seed, pre-seed, series A, B, C…” Na so so funding gist we dey hear. But make we pause small. Founders wey never raise anything nko? Founders wey don pitch tire, dem no gree see money? Founders wey dey struggle every day, still dey build? How una dey? Today, I wan talk to you, the founder wey no get funding story to post for LinkedIn. I wan talk to you, the person wey dey ask: “Shey I no sabi pitch? Abi my idea no good? Abi VC no just wan hear me out?” Let’s stop focusing only on the ones wey raise millions and then burn am finish. Make we also talk about the people wey still dey grind every day, looking for the first cheque, trying to find their first believers. The Startup Hype: Why We Need to Change the Conversation Let’s be honest. The startup world don turn to funding competition. On...

The Startup Dream and the Real Work Let’s be honest, when you consider the journey of building a startup, particularly in the technology sector, there exists a glamorous narrative that often captures the imagination: ❤“You need to have worked at Google, Meta, or X (formerly Twitter).” ❤“You need a Stanford or MIT degree.” ❤“You need fancy connections to VCs.” But guess what? That’s not the complete picture. In fact, for many successful founders, it’s not even half the story. Why This Article? Because there’s a lot to learn, and even more to unlearn. This article is intended for: 👉Anyone contemplating starting their own company. 👉Anyone feeling trapped in a corporate job, wondering if they can take the leap. 👉Anyone from Africa or the diaspora aiming to create genuine solutions for real problems. 👉Anyone who mistakenly believes comfort zones are growth zones ( newsflash : they’re not). We will dissect the startup journey, demystify the FAANG effect, examine YC School (Y Combinator’s...

 Why Building with Empathy Matters The journey of a startup is not merely about creating innovative products; it fundamentally revolves around addressing genuine challenges faced by real individuals. For many founders, the initial focus often gravitates towards features, securing funding, and crafting persuasive pitch decks. However, at GrinaPay, we have come to understand that the true essence of our work begins with the art of listening. This insight has guided us, emphasizing the importance of understanding the community we serve. In particular, when engaging with communities as emotionally connected as the African diaspora, making assumptions about their needs is not an option. To effectively build for such a community, it is crucial to actively reach out to them, which means making phone calls, listening intently, and grasping their pain points. By engaging in meaningful dialogue, we can collaboratively develop solutions that resonate with their experiences. This approach has ...

Ever heard the saying, "Experience is the best teacher"? It's more than just a catchy phrase; it serves as the foundation upon which true learning and growth are built. Imagine refusing to try something new out of fear of failure. In doing so, you would miss out on the invaluable knowledge, insights, and understanding that can only be gained through real-life experiences. It is through the process of doing, stumbling, learning from those stumbles, and then doing again with a bit more wisdom that we truly make progress. Each attempt, enriched by experience, fuels the motivation to keep moving forward and to find meaning in the journey. This very principle of learning through action, listening, and evolving is intricately woven into the narrative of GrinaPay. Our journey did not commence within the sterile confines of a boardroom filled with market projections and algorithms. Instead, it began with heartfelt conversations, real dialogues with remarkable Africans who are liv...

Send money, clear bills, and support your loved ones, all without stress.  If you live or work abroad and have family or projects back in Africa, you may find yourself constantly trying to navigate the complexities of international money transfers. The pressure to provide financial assistance can be overwhelming, especially when unexpected emergencies arise. Many people dread the thought of unreliable remittance channels or dealing with merchants that lack verification. The good news is that there is a reliable way to support your family and projects back home with complete confidence. Bridging Distance with Seamless Support Millions of Africans living in the diaspora shoulder significant financial responsibilities. Whether it's sending money for rent, school fees, groceries, hospital bills, or construction projects, the demands are constant and often increasing. However, the process of sending remittances is fraught with risks and uncertainties, including unverified merchants who ...