AYOOLA AKINKUNMI
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER
BIRMINGHAM
Summary
A versatile entrepreneur with a proven track record of success and achievements in building a startup from ideation to commercial success. A high-performance startup leader with excellent skills in business development, operations, hardware deployment, leading high-performing teams, and implementing go-to-market strategies for digital products. Successfully built a product-led digital technology startup, Mecho Autotech, and disrupted the auto insurance market within a year of launch.
I have had an impactful career as a founder addressing the massive problem of Auto maintenance in Nigeria.
I Co-founded Mecho Autotech, a startup that offers on-demand vehicle repair and maintenance services. Before launching Mech Autotech, I bootstrapped my first startup, AOAR, “Uber for mechanics'', an On-demand mobile auto diagnostics and repairs startup that matches expert mechanics with vehicle owners that need simple troubleshooting. I successfully pivoted my startup, AOAR, into a platform model and launched Mecho Autotech. Mecho Autotech is a robust and fully interactive technology platform that delivers seamless vehicle maintenance, inspection, and repair services via a network of certified mechanics and automobile technicians.
As the Chief Operation Officer of Mecho Auto, I managed the development of a robust digital platform with a network of 7,000 vetted technicians across 35 states in Nigeria. Since we launched our product in 2020, we have gained market acceptance with a monthly revenue of $500,000 generated through B2C, B2B car maintenance offering and online car spare part sales. Given our high volume and record success within a short period of launch, our fundraising round was oversubscribed with over $2.1 million in seed funding.
In 2021, I got accepted into the Y Combinator (YC), an American technology startup accelerator that has launched more than 3,000 companies with a combined valuation of $300 billion for the top YC companies including Stripe, Airbnb, Cruise, Coinbase, Dropbox, and Reddit.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Chief Operating Officer/Co-Founder
MECHO AUTOTECH
LAGOS, NIGERIA
04.2019 - Current
- Conceptualisation and development of on-demand vehicle maintenance and repair platforms. On-boarded over 7,000 mechanics and auto technicians on the platform.
- Lead the day-to-day operations of the company, including talent recruitment, product management, account management, and partnership development.
- Oversaw the engineering team and recruited top talent to build a high-performance startup team that grew from an idea to $500K in monthly revenue within a year.
- Increased usage and adoption for individual customers, and created revenue- generating opportunities through our platform model (B2C, B2B, and online spare part sales).
- Oversee strategic partnership for our B2B product offering. Finalised large fleet partnerships, including uber partners, and other corporate clients.
- Successfully increased the usage and adoption for individual customers, and created revenue-generating opportunities through our platform model (B2C, B2B and online spare part sales).
- Built and developed business relationships with investors and partners. Successfully raised $2.1 million in seed funding from top venture funds including, Signal Hill Private Limited, Y-Combinator,and Ingressive Capital.
- Developed product strategy for our Auto insurance product which bundles insurance and vehicle insurance and achieved over 12,000 paid subscriptions within a short period of launch. This product is the first of its kind in the the Nigerian Insurtech sector.
- Lead weekly Operations, maintenance, sales, and parts department meetings to enhance efficiency, profitability and customer satisfaction.
Chief Executive Officer/Founder
Ayo-ola Autodiagnostics and Repairs
Lagos, Nigeria
02.2015 - 01.2019
- Founded mobile auto diagnostics and repairs that match expert mechanics with vehicle owners that need simple troubleshooting.
- Provided strategic direction for the startup by setting up a lean team to run the company’s operations while ensuring we had a pool of expert mechanics to provide on-demand service within a short notice
- Worked with over 3,000 auto technicians to provide mobile repair services in southwest Nigeria.
- Successfully trained over 1,000 auto technicians in the use of various Automotive diagnostic software. Partnered with the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) to upskill technicians across states in Nigeria.
- Successfully pivoted my startup, AOAR, into a platform model and launched Mecho Autotech, Mecho Autotech, a robust and fully interactive technology platform that delivers seamless vehicle maintenance, inspection, and repair services via a network of certified mechanics and automobile technicians.
- Kept up to date on major and minor changes in the automotive industry such as recalls, common issues, and new technologies such as AI diagnostic systems.
- Mentored trainee technicians to become certified Technicians.
Automotive Service Technician
Swiss pharmaceutical company(Swipha)
Lagos, Nigeria
03.2014 - 01.2015
- Diagnosed operating difficulties on various car models and performed operational checks on engines.
- Performed various computerised and electronic diagnostic tests using specialised equipment.
- Troubleshoot fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems, using electronic testing equipment.
- Interpreted trouble codes and other information from electronic scanners and test analyzers.
- Tested electronic computer components in automobiles to ensure proper operation.
- Repaired, replaced, and adjusted defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and
gasoline filters.
- Repaired, overhauled, and adjusted automobile brake systems.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
Federal University of Technology Akure(FUTA)
Lagos, Nigeria 04.2016 - 09.2019
"A level" NABTEB, "O level" NABTEB - Motor Vehicle Mechanics
Government Technical college ikotun
Lagos, Nigeria 03.2013 - 06.2016
Trade Test 1,2,3, Federal Craft Diploma - Motor Vehicle Mechanics
Government Technical college ikotun
Lagos, Nigeria. 03.2013 - 06.2016
Skills
Operating Procedures
Standard operating procedures
Technology Innovation
Operations Management
Startup Fundraising
Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Systems
Recruitment and Talent management
Business Development
Business Improvement
Customer success Management
Operating hand tools
Accomplishments
Programme for Startup Founder
- Ycombinator Accelerator Programme and startup School 2021
- Tech Circle Founders Mentorship Programme 2020
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Chief Operating Officer/Co-Founder
MECHO AUTOTECH
04.2019 - Current
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
Federal University of Technology Akure(FUTA)
04.2016 - 09.2019
Chief Executive Officer/Founder
Ayo-ola Autodiagnostics and Repairs
02.2015 - 01.2019
Automotive Service Technician
Swiss pharmaceutical company(Swipha)
03.2014 - 01.2015
"A level" NABTEB, "O level" NABTEB - Motor Vehicle Mechanics
Government Technical college ikotun
03.2013 - 06.2016
Trade Test 1,2,3, Federal Craft Diploma - Motor Vehicle Mechanics
Government Technical college ikotun
03.2013 - 06.2016