Dr Dayo Abinusawa is a strategic advisor, innovation leader, and founder of the African Business Trade Association (ABTA), an initiative advancing enterprise, trade, and partnerships across Africa and globally. He is also the founder of Blended Institute, where he is currently leading organisational transformation with a focus on digital strategy and AI capability development to drive inclusive, innovation-led development.

Dr Abinusawa’s multidisciplinary career spans infrastructure, venture capital, consulting, product innovation and academia.

As a European Deal Originator for yet2Ventures, a US-based venture capital and technology commercialisation firm, he was responsible for sourcing and evaluating high-potential innovation assets across Europe. He focused on single-technology deals valued between $500,000 and $15 million, and technology portfolios up to $50 million, identifying market-ready solutions and IP-rich startups for acquisition, investment, and licensing by global corporates.

He has held senior roles as a User Research and Product Leader at Shell and Accenture in London, delivering human-centred digital innovations. Earlier in his career, he served as Site Safety Manager on the 100MW Trans Amadi Power Plant, overseeing critical operations for the gas turbine and transmission line project developed by Rockson Engineering for the Rivers State government in Nigeria.

He was also a Business Development Adviser to the Togo Economic Transformation Plan, working alongside Sir Paul Judge to shape the national investment strategy. In addition, he has advised startups, and corporate boards, mentored entrepreneurs, and championed inclusive innovation across African markets and the diaspora. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA).

Dr Abinusawa has lectured at leading academic institutions including the University of Cambridge, King’s College London, the University of East London, and the University of Roehampton, on topics including strategy, CSR, international business, sustainability, entrepreneurship and innovation management.

Dr Abinusawa holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of Cambridge, an MBA in Strategy and Organisational Performance from the University of Glasgow, and a BA in Marketing along with a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the University of East London.

At ABTA, he leads efforts to connect African businesses with global markets through trade facilitation, policy engagement, and enterprise development.

Outside of work, Dayo enjoys judo, earning a bronze medal at his first British Judo competition and golf, which he finds both grounding and strategic.