Douglas Kendyson (Selar)
Overview
Douglas Kendyson is a notable entrepreneur and the founder of Selar, a platform that enables digital creators across Africa to monetize their content. Based in Nigeria, Kendyson has carved a niche in the burgeoning creator economy by providing a robust e-commerce solution tailored for digital products such as e-books, courses, and other digital content. Under his leadership, Selar has empowered over 1.5 million users and facilitated significant payouts to creators, making it a vital player in Africa’s digital entrepreneurship landscape.
Recent Developments
- April 22, 2025: Douglas Kendyson conducted a masterclass at the Lagos Startup Expo 2.0, focusing on the theme “An African Founder’s Guide to Bootstrapping.” His session underscored strategies for building a sustainable business without heavy reliance on external funding, a principle he applied in developing Selar. (Source)
- 2024: Selar expanded its market reach by launching operations in Kenya, aiming to leverage the dynamic creator economy prevalent in East Africa. The platform saw significant growth in user registrations and creator payouts, with a massive 8.8 billion distributed in 2024, double the previous year, signifying its expanding influence. (Source)
- 2023: Selar's growth was spotlighted as a key player in the digital creator sector, with substantial increases in both user engagement and financial transactions. The company revealed plans to enhance its platform features, including improved cross-border payment capabilities and a more sophisticated user interface to accommodate its international clientele. (Source)
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Douglas Kendyson |
| Born | Not publicly available |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, CEO of Selar |
| Known For | Founding Selar, Pioneering in Africa’s creator economy |
| Education | Covenant University, Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering |
Early Life and Education
Douglas Kendyson grew up in Nigeria, where he developed a passion for technology and entrepreneurship. He attended Covenant University, where he studied civil engineering. During his time in university, he honed his programming skills, which laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey. Kendyson was proactive in seeking out opportunities that aligned with his technology inclinations, participating in various projects and tech groups that fostered his growth and interest in tech-driven solutions.
Career and Notable Achievements
Douglas Kendyson’s career trajectory has been marked by significant milestones:
- Initial Ventures: Started his career working with notable fintech companies like Flutterwave and Paystack, gaining valuable insights into the African tech space.
- Founding of Selar (2016): Kendyson launched Selar as a solution to help digital creators sell their products seamlessly in Africa, addressing a major gap in the market where existing platforms didn't cater sufficiently to individual creators.
- Achievements:
- Selar facilitated over $10 million in payouts by 2023.
- The platform became profitable in 2022 without major external funding, maintaining a sustainable business model through bootstrapping.
Current Work and Impact
Douglas Kendyson’s current work with Selar continues to impact the creator economy significantly. The platform not only provides a marketplace for digital creators but also empowers them through financial autonomy. Under his leadership, Selar is seen as a pioneer in providing easy-to-use tools for creators to manage their sales and portfolio, thereby democratizing access to digital entrepreneurship for many Africans.
Related Topics
The Growth of the Digital Creator Economy in Africa
The digital creator economy in Africa is rapidly growing, fueled by platforms like Selar that provide creators with the tools they need to monetize their work. This has created a burgeoning ecosystem where content creators in various niches, from educational content to entertainment, can reach global markets and derive financial benefits.
Funding and Economic Impact of Platforms like Selar
Despite being bootstrapped, Selar has managed substantial economic contributions to the digital marketplace in Africa. Its business model offers insights into how well-planned and executed digital platforms can thrive even with minimal investment, highlighting economic resilience and innovation.
Conclusion
Douglas Kendyson’s journey defines the entrepreneurial spirit prevalent in Africa’s tech industry. Through Selar, Kendyson not only tapped into the creative needs of digital entrepreneurs but also showcased how businesses could sustain and thrive without relying on substantial external funding. His work has positioned Selar as a linchpin in Africa's digital economy, with potential for continued influence as digital transformation and the creator economy grow further across the continent.