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David Ogundeko

David Ogundeko

Entrepreneur, Venture Steward, Poet, and AI Ethicist

funema
Cape Town, South Africa
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States
London Area, United Kingdom
Geneva, Switzerland
Joined April 2026

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9.4K connections
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Funema Ecosystem

Summary

David Ogundeko is an entrepreneur and venture steward with a deep focus on impact investing and venture building in emerging markets, particularly across Africa. As the Founder and CEO of Funema, he has pioneered a unique approach to addressing poverty by co-building scalable, tech-enabled businesses with founders. His philosophy emphasizes long-term investment horizons (15-25 years), contrasting with traditional VC models, and he champions strengthening startups from their 'idea stage' through robust operational, strategic, and financial systems. about+3
His extensive experience in venture capital began with an unconventional path, starting as an IT technician in a private equity firm in Lagos before becoming a Managing Director at Seedstars in Nigeria. This background informs his understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in African entrepreneurship, leading him to develop Funema's model which prioritizes local context and infrastructure development. youtube+2
Beyond his business acumen, Ogundeko is a prolific writer and poet, frequently publishing articles on Medium that explore themes of artificial intelligence ethics, faith, and the intersection of business with societal impact. His writings often blend philosophical and spiritual insights with technological and entrepreneurial discussions, reflecting a 'polymath-generalist' approach to his work. medium+3
David is actively involved in the future of AI, particularly concerning its ethical implications and its role in developing countries. He is a member of the AI FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES FORUM and his recent articles delve into topics such as 'Creation and Responsibility: An Ethical Framework for AI Inspired by Creationism' and 'Can AI give computers a soul?', showcasing his commitment to thoughtful technological advancement. af+1

Work

Writing

Putting Faith Into Action

September 1, 2025

A piece discussing the practical application of faith, emphasizing that faith is demonstrated through action.

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Anchored in Flight

April 1, 2025

A poetic reflection on the duality of freedom and constraint in love.

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Beyond Profit: Can Business Redeem the World?

December 1, 2024

An article discussing the role of business beyond just profit, focusing on how it can contribute to societal redemption and impact.

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Part 7: Beyond Boundaries: AI and the Future of Quantum-Enhanced Knowledge Sharing

December 1, 2024

The concluding part of a series exploring how AI, combined with quantum principles, could transform knowledge sharing and human life.

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Part 6: A World of AI-Enhanced Discoveries and Collective Intelligence

December 1, 2024

An article discussing the possibilities of using AI as a bridge to a broader world of knowledge, tapping into collective intelligence.

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Creation and Responsibility: An Ethical Framework for AI Inspired by Creationism

November 1, 2024

An article exploring ethical considerations for AI development through a creationist lens, emphasizing principles of care, respect, and purpose in AI creation.

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Part 4: Faith, Intelligence, and Digital Existence: The Call for Benevolence in AI

November 1, 2024

An article examining the intersection of faith, purpose, and technology in shaping our world, with a call for benevolence in AI.

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Part 3: The Mirror Effect: Creating AI in Our Image

November 1, 2024

An article exploring the human drive to embed aspects of ourselves into our creations, including AI, and the implications of this 'mirror effect'.

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Part 2: The Dynamics of Digital Friendship

November 1, 2024

An article discussing the evolving relationship between humans and AI, moving beyond mere tools to more nuanced interactions.

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Part 1: Can AI give computers a soul?

November 1, 2024

The first part of a series questioning whether AI can transcend data processing to embody more nuanced aspects of existence.

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Hobbies

David Ogundeko is a poet and songwriter. about+3