01
The 234 Project
Co-founded in 2016, The 234 Project creates experiences focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation and opportunity for young people and emerging founders.
About
The work behind the growth.
Growth has been the through line of my career — not as a slogan, but as the work of building people, partnerships, routes to market and the discipline required to scale.
2023 African Leadership University (ALU) Visiting Faculty
2021 · 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange Fellow
2019 Nassau County Legislature Citation
The biography
The scale came later. The foundation came first.
I have always been interested in what people could accomplish with the right opportunity, encouragement and support. That interest has shaped my journey as a leader, advisor, speaker and educator, and it continues to guide where I invest my time.
My own journey took an unexpected turn, from studying Microbiology at the University of Texas at Austin to selling educational books and software door to door. Over eight summers with The Southwestern Company (now known as Southwestern Advantage), I learned to sell, recruit, lead and develop college entrepreneurs while expanding into new markets. Those summers taught me to listen, to earn trust, to handle rejection, and to help others find confidence in themselves.
I later earned my MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, including a summer internship with Procter & Gamble, which broadened my understanding of brands, consumers and how large organizations execute.
At Dell Technologies, I led Dell Small Business’s Alternative Routes to Market vertical across the Americas, scaling annual revenue from approximately $22M to $800M+ and launching the Dell for Startups Program in 2018. One of the most rewarding aspects was seeing team members grow into greater responsibilities.
My Nigerian heritage also shapes what I choose to build. I co-founded The 234 Project to help young people develop their leadership and entrepreneurial potential, and co-authored The Nigerian Time Machine Activity Book to help children discover Nigerian history and culture through engaging activities. Both reflect a commitment to making knowledge and opportunity more accessible.
That commitment extends to my role as Visiting Faculty at African Leadership University in Kigali, Rwanda, two selections for the Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange program, and participation in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Reciprocal Exchange in Thailand. These experiences have given me opportunities to share what I know while learning from people across cultures and generations.
Along the way, Channel Futures recognized me as a DE&I 101 honoree in 2021 and 2023, and a Channel Influencer in 2022. I also received Dell’s Bronze and Diamond Game Changer Awards in consecutive years, the only person across the global Dell Small Business team to receive that distinction during my nine years in the business unit. The recognition is particularly meaningful because the citations celebrated servant leadership, mentorship and my contribution to young entrepreneurs alongside business performance.
Today, I bring these experiences into advisory work, speaking and teaching, helping leaders turn strategy, partnerships and market opportunity into growth they can execute. What matters to me is that the experience I have gained becomes useful to someone else.
Outside work, I enjoy traveling, discovering local food, watching Spaghetti Westerns and British crime dramas, and following Arsenal FC. My curiosity about people, places and everyday experiences also finds a home in Things I Notice, where I share the stories and observations that stay with me.
Beyond the corporate title
Building beyond the corporate role.
Some of the experiences that shaped my perspective most happened outside traditional corporate environments. I built platforms, developed ideas and turned them into things people could actually use.
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The Nigerian Time Machine Activity Book
Co-authored to help young people engage with Nigerian history, culture and identity through storytelling and culturally relevant learning.
Global experience
The work has traveled.
My professional footprint spans 11 markets and five continents, through commercial leadership, teaching, speaking, advisory and international exchange programs.
01
U.S. Department of State Exchange Programs
Nigeria · Gabon · Thailand
Selected for U.S. Department of State–supported exchange programs focused on entrepreneurship and ecosystem development. In Bangkok, that work included advising local entrepreneurs and helping organize the first entrepreneur pitch competition held at the U.S. Embassy.
02
African Leadership University (ALU)
Kigali, Rwanda
Worked directly with students and founders through the ALU Center for Entrepreneurship, bringing practical operating experience into entrepreneurship education, startup scaling and venture-building conversations.
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Entrepreneurial ecosystems
Africa · Asia · Europe · the Americas
Engaging founders, business communities and entrepreneurial organizations through teaching, speaking, advisory work and ecosystem programs.
Recognition
Awards that followed the work.
Given by industry bodies, by the organizations I worked inside, and once by a county legislature. Ordered by who gave them, newest first.
- Industry & public
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- 2023 Channel Futures DE&I 101 Honoree
- 2021 · 2019 U.S. Department of State Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange Fellow ×2
- 2022 Channel Futures Channel Influencer Honoree
- 2021 Channel Futures DE&I 101 Honoree
- 2019 Nassau County Legislature Citation — for empowering the next generation of global leaders
- Dell Technologies
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- 2023 Game Changer Bronze Award
- 2022 Game Changer Diamond Award
- 2008 Circle of Excellence Award
- Southwestern Advantage
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- 2002 Chairman’s Club in Sales
- 2000–2005 President’s Club in Sales
- 2000–2004 Top Experienced Dealer
- 2000–2004 Top Honorary Student Manager
Selected stages & institutions
Where the work has been shown
Boardrooms and Executive teams · Growth and Partnership functions · Founder and Investor gatherings · Conference Main stages in the US and across Africa.
“It has been a pleasure to partner with Mobolaji. His collaborative approach, strength in being solution-minded rather than problem-focused, and relationship building skills are impressive. Mobolaji’s genuine passion for supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits is inspiring.”
Ready to talk?
Turn the opportunity into action.
Whether you are looking for strategic advisory support, a speaker for your next event, or help navigating a specific commercial challenge — start with a conversation.
