GFA Spotlight: Omnibiz Africa (GetFundedAfrica July/August Fundraising Edition)
About Omnibiz Africa
Omnibiz is a B2B e-commerce platform for FMCG manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Omnibiz Africa has simplified the process for over 50,000 retailers to purchase from Omnibiz’s over 500+ products, guaranteeing retailers achieve higher ROI and distributors/manufacturers improve volume and reach through a larger distribution network.
Founded in 2019 by Deepankar Rustagi, the startup aims to support local businesses and help them navigate the modern market.
Meet Deepankar Rustagi (Founder)
What inspired you to create this company? What was the extra push?
“Prior to owning my first start-up (Vconnect) I had been working in the FMCG space with an engineering/technology background as well, I had gained key insight on the technological conditions of Sub-Saharan Africa and well ingrained with the knowledge of the FMCG business in Africa. However, the COVID-19 lockdown was a major push that made me all the more determined to make a change in this sector. I saw that I could leverage my technology background to create a solution for the greatest selling essential goods space in Africa.”
What do you wish you knew before starting your entrepreneurial journey?
“I am convinced that our summative successes and failures has culminated into our unique story today as a business and a person. So, in the grand scheme of things, there is really nothing that we regret not knowing. However, one thing that would have helped us scale faster would have been to have a deeper network within the investor community earlier. Since we have always been clear about our goals and objectives as a business, through the network, maybe we would have had more funding earlier and we would have achieved our goals quicker.”
What are the key successes as a founder?
“Since we started as a business, we have recorded great milestones. However, of all the many successes we had had, I would say I feel the deepest sense of accomplishment in three factors. Factor one, in the team we have built to drive our growth to the next level. Factor 2, seeing that we are making life easier for the over 110,000 retailers on Omnibiz platform. Factor 3, our success lies majorly also on the failures we had overcome and the lessons we took away from them all.”
What were the challenges you have faced as an African founder? How did you overcome them?
“My challenge was in not being an African by birth. My non-Nigerian origin and being a Nigerian founder, raised a lot of questions from investors about my commitment to grow a business here. However, we overcame this by consistently showing that we are determined to make a change and achieve our goals for Africa.”
Can you share your top tips for entrepreneurial success?
“My sincere tips would be – a. Be very informed about the problem you aim at solving and about the solutions. b. Be clear about your goals and business objectives. c. While at it, be daring to take risks and dream big.”
Fun fact about you?
“While I may sometimes be out of words (which many will disagree with), I am never out of expressions.”
What are your social media handles (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) so that our readers can connect you?
LinkedIn: Deepankar Rustagi | LinkedIn
Instagram: www.instagram.com/deepankarrustagi/?hl=en
