Business Development Intern Candidate for Government Contracting

Joseph Chinedu Egbunike

Kigali, Rwanda +250-***-***-*** ***************@*****.*** [LinkedIn] PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Dynamic entrepreneur and exceptional business developer, skilled in startup & corporate strategy and operational leadership. Successfully founded, scaling impact to over 400 learners while enhancing brand engagement by 60%. Proficient in process optimisation and team building, driving innovative solutions in cross-cultural environments.

Accomplished executive with demonstrated history of addressing business challenges and streamlining processes to maximize revenue. Leads with superior business acumen and high emotional intelligence. Excels in operations management, budget adherence and forecasting. CORE COMPETENCIES

Startup Strategy & Growth Operational Leadership Process Automation & Optimization Business Development & Partnerships Cross-Cultural Management Team Building & Leadership Venture Design & Market Validation Brand Positioning Investor Relations & Scaling Strategy Tools & Platforms: Notion, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Airtable, Zapier, Google Workspace, Excel (Advanced), ClickUp, Miro, Monday.com PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

October 2024 - Current Founder & CEO KinyaConnect Kigali, Rwanda

● Founded a continentally recognized cultural and language education company integrating tech-driven learning, cultural immersion, and AI-backed communication tools.

● Scaled impact to over 400 international learners, with ongoing institutional partnerships with the University of Colorado and multiple Rwandan businesses.

● Directed the development of Kinya AI, an upcoming AI-driven platform for African language learning and cultural exchange.

● Managed a team of 12+ cross-functional members, establishing systems in Notion and Asana for transparent workflow and accountability.

● Secured and managed strategic brand partnerships, increasing user engagement and market credibility by over 60%

● Led cross-functional teams to launch new products successfully.

● Identified market gaps and conceptualized innovative business solutions.

● Oversaw financial planning to ensure long-term sustainability. May 2025 - November 2025 / Business Developer Lendsqr Lagos, Nigeria

● Oversaw user interface design to ensure intuitive and engaging product experience.

● Presented product updates and strategic plans to executive teams and board members.

● Collaborated with engineering teams to prioritize product backlog and roadmap. March 2025 - Co-Founder & Business Director Kinya Unwind Kigali, Rwanda

● Co-founded a lifestyle and wellness brand curating premium retreats and social experiences, including Detendre, a flagship event hosting 52+ high-value participants.

● Scaled brand presence through partnerships and experiential marketing, establishing Kinya Unwind as a model for youth wellness innovation in East Africa.

● Transformed internal structure to meet changing operational demands.

● Chaired internal meetings on different company activities and interests.

● Established and coordinated responsibilities between sites and departments. January 2023 - September 2024 / Business Development & Project Manager Songs of Grace Foundation Lagos, Nigeria

● Developed and standardized company-wide SOPs that increased operational efficiency by 40%.

● Led a cross-functional team delivering community projects impacting 500+ beneficiaries, including youth empowerment and social support programs.

● Secured partnerships with three major organizations and spearheaded fundraising initiatives that sustained multiple programs.

● Outlined human and material resources required to successfully complete project.

● Established project roadmaps covering objectives, schedules and budget. June 2022 - December 2022 / Real Estate, Business Development Intern Eternal Flavour Realtors Lagos, Nigeria

● Conducted market intelligence and process optimization that improved operational response times by 15%.

● Collaborated with management to refine data systems that informed sales forecasts and client engagement models.

● Compiled data from multiple sources for use in weekly status updates provided to management.

● Created detailed reports on operational activities for review by senior leadership.

● Performed quality control checks on various processes within company's operations. EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Entrepreneurial Leadership African Leadership University (ALU) – Kigali, Rwanda Expected Graduation: March 2027

Certifications & Programs

● Founder Academy - Global Venture Building Program

● Ventures Labs - Startup Growth & Validation Accelerator

● Silicon Valley Founders Network - Startup Leadership Series

● Systems Thinking and Lean Startup Methodologies

● Foundations of business strategy - University of virginia

● Building a systems mindset - University of Colorado Boulder

● Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat - Sydney University

● Building FinTech Startups in Emerging Markets - University of Cape Town LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

● Event Coordinator SHARE Organization — Kigali, Rwanda Directed logistics and volunteer operations for an outreach program supporting 100+ homeless individuals.

● Event Support TEDxALU “How Might We?” — Kigali, Rwanda Contributed to event production and speaker coordination for an audience of 100+, ensuring seamless execution. ACHIEVEMENTS & HONORS

● Delegate, Best Diplomats Conference (Turkey, 2025): Recognized for leadership excellence and international diplomacy.

● Founder Recognition – ALU Innovation Hub: Honored for advancing cultural-tech education through scalable business models.

● Speaker, KinyaConnect Culture Series: Led sessions on startup strategy, leadership, and the future of African entrepreneurship. Languages

English - Proficient (C2)

French - Beginner (A1)

Igbo - Beginner (A1)

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