The founder of Japaflex, Ajibola Agbaje, achieved a remarkable double win at the prestigious Black Business & Tech Awards 2025 in Tees Valley, taking home both the Innovation in Tech Award and Tech Ambassador of the Year in two of the most competitive categories.

The high-profile ceremony, held over the weekend, brought together influential leaders from business and technology, including the Mayor of Middlesbrough, Chris Cooke, highlighting the event’s significance within the region’s growing innovation ecosystem.

Speaking on his recognition, Agbaje said, “This award is bigger than me. It represents every immigrant who arrived in a new country, struggled to find their footing, yet continued to build despite the obstacles. Japaflex is my personal story turned into a solution for millions.”

Agbaje added that his win represents a milestone not only for Japaflex but also for the broader immigrant and diaspora communities that his technology seeks to empower.

“Japaflex has been widely recognised for addressing one of the most pressing challenges of modern mobility: disconnection, isolation, and the struggle to build meaningful relationships in unfamiliar cities,” he said.

Ajibola’s success also highlights the growing impact of the Tees Valley tech ecosystem. Japaflex is supported by the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s Tees Valley Labs under the Stable Programme, which has been instrumental in accelerating the app’s development, marketing, and expansion. Mayor Chris Cooke commended the growing Black tech community and applauded founders driving meaningful impact through innovation.

Ajibola, a data scientist and product development professional, has over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience and serves as a mentor with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.