The Co-founder/ Group Managing Director of Routelink Group, Mr Femi Adeoti, has said that startups no longer need large sums of money to scale their businesses in today’s technology-driven economy.
Adeoti said this at the recently held ICTEL EXPO 2025 in Lagos, where he delivered a bold message to aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasising that “technology is now the great equaliser” in business growth and scalability.
Addressing the gathering during a panel discussion themed ‘Financial Technology Innovation and Business Growth of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Africa’, Adeoti explained how smart deployment of tech infrastructure and leveraging affordable cloud-based solutions can drive exponential growth for startups without the heavy capital once considered a prerequisite.
He said, “You no longer need millions to build scale. With the right tools, platforms and strategic partnerships, young businesses can now reach markets and audiences that were once impossible. The barrier is no longer capital; it is creativity and clarity of purpose.”
Adeoti also called for deeper collaboration between fintech innovators and regulatory bodies to create a balanced environment where small businesses can thrive without undue bureaucratic roadblocks.
The session featured an elite line-up of business leaders and innovators, including the Founder of Prospera Consulting, Mrs Modupe Ladipo; the CEO of Page Financials, Mr Segun Akintemi; the Managing Director of Remita Payment Services, Mr Deremi Atanda; and the Head of Corporate Transformation and Innovation at Wema Bank, Mr Solomon Ayodele. The session was moderated by the MD of Bright Trends Consulting, Mr Seye Obisesan.
Routelink Group is an ICT company, delivering cybersecurity, telecoms and payment solutions. The company, which provides cutting-edge business solutions across multiple sectors, continues to champion digital transformation initiatives that empower SMEs and corporations across Nigeria and beyond.
Organised under the theme ‘Connect, Learn, Grow’, the ICTEL EXPO 2025 brought together hundreds of industry players, policymakers, tech founders, and innovators for two days of exhibitions, business pitches, panel discussions, and networking.
The event was organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
