Tope Awoto na | |
---|---|
Born | Tope Awoton 4 February 1981 Lagos, Nigeria) |
Education | George Washington University |
Occupation | Businessman |
Spouse | Married |
Tope Awotona is a tech entrepreneur known for founding the software company, Calendly. As of 2025, Forbes estimates his net worth at $1.4 Billion making him one of the richest Black Billionaires. [1]
Tope Awotona born in Lagos, Nigeria. His father was a microbiologist and entrepreneur; his mother worked at the local bank. [1] At the age of 12 years old, Awotona's father was tragically killed in a carjacking, thus propelling him and his family which included his mother and three brothers to leave Lagos and migrate to the US residing in Atlanta, GA. [1] It was then that Awotona used his pain to continue his father's legacy of entrepreneurship. [2] He attended the University of Georgia, initially majoring in Computer Science, he later changed to business and management and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. [3] His ethnicity is Yoruba. [4]
Following graduation from college, Awotona worked for different corporate jobs including IBM before joining a startup company in Kansas City, Perceptive Software as an accountant executive. [5] It was there while working for the company that he was exposed to various kinds of functions of the software business. [6] While trying to schedule a meeting as a salesman, Awotona become frustrated, and poured his life savings into creating Calendly. [3] [5] Launched from Atlanta Tech Village, Calendly made its debut in 2013. [1] Since 2013, Calendly is now a $3 billion software firm that continues to provide simple solutions for business communications, team scheduling, and preparation follow-ups. [3] As of 2024, Calendly app has 10 million users, according to Forbes making Awotona one of the wealthiest immigrants in America. [3]
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