Chowdeck’s founders, Femi Aluko, Olumide Ojo, and Lanre Yusuf, have recently joined Endeavor Nigeria’s global network of high-impact entrepreneurs. The move comes as the food delivery startup seeks to expand its operations in Nigeria and Ghana.
Being part of this network opens up a wealth of opportunities for the founders. They will have access to a community of fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors who can provide guidance and support as they face the challenges of growing their business in new markets.
Started in 2021, the startup has quickly evolved from a simple food delivery service into a comprehensive commerce and logistics platform. Today, it operates in 14 cities across Nigeria and Ghana, boasting over 800,000 active customers, nearly 9,000 vendors, and around 8,000 riders. The company processes an impressive 1.2 million orders every month.
Femi Aluko, the co-founder and CEO of Chowdeck, highlighted the significance of joining the Endeavor network. He believes it will be instrumental in helping the company tackle its next phase of growth by connecting it with entrepreneurs who have faced similar challenges. This support could be a game-changer for Chowdeck as it continues to expand and innovate in the competitive food delivery space.
“The most valuable thing for a founder at this stage is being able to talk to someone who has already solved the problem in front of you. Someone who has expanded into a market they didn’t understand, hired their first set of senior leaders, or managed growth across currencies and regulators. Endeavor gives us access to exactly those people, across Africa and around the world,” Aluko said.
Endeavor selection recognises Chowdeck’s growth
Chowdeck was founded by Aluko, Olumide Ojo, and Lanre Yusuf in response to the food delivery challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown in Lagos. Inspired by the efficient delivery services in Dubai, they started with three motorbikes, three riders, and two restaurants in Ikeja and Yaba. The company has since expanded to offer quick commerce, groceries, parcel delivery, merchant solutions, advertising, and financial services, entering Ghana in May 2025.
Noah Sebhatleab from Endeavor Global noted, “Chowdeck stands out because it designs its platform and operations specifically for local African contexts, unlike international competitors that try to import foreign playbooks. As a result, while many of these competitors retreat from the continent, Chowdeck continues to scale across it.”
The founders completed Endeavor’s selection process, which involves extensive reviews by seasoned entrepreneurs and investors. Martin Escobari, an Endeavor Global board member, emphasised the founders’ expertise: “Chowdeck is a local champion in food delivery across Nigeria and Ghana.”
Similar read: Chowdeck hits 100 million items delivered in 5 years
Ireayo Oladunjoye, managing director and CEO of Endeavor Nigeria, remarked on Chowdeck’s ambition: “Femi, Lanre and Olumide have taken a clear market opportunity and built a business with the ambition, pace and resilience required to scale.”
Founded in 1997, Endeavor supports high-growth entrepreneurs outside traditional tech hubs, connecting them with over 3,100 members across 100 markets to foster mentorship and investment. Through this network, Chowdeck’s founders gain valuable insights while contributing to the broader African business ecosystem.
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