Black Entrepreneur Experience Ep. 504: Kunbi Tinuoye, Founder/CEO of UrbanGeekz
Date: March 5, 2025
Host: Dr. Frances Richards
Guest: Kunbi Tinuoye, Founder and CEO of UrbanGeekz
Episode Overview
This episode features Kunbi Tinuoye, a seasoned journalist turned entrepreneur and the visionary behind UrbanGeekz—a video-centric digital news platform elevating African American, Latino, and multicultural voices in technology, science, and business. Dr. Frances Richards explores Tinuoye’s personal and professional journey, her approach to building a pioneering brand, and actionable wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
Kunbi's Background & Path to UrbanGeekz
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London Roots & Media Experience
- Born and raised in London, educated at Cambridge University (Political Science), and postgraduate journalism work.
- Former BBC journalist; moved to Atlanta and worked as Southeast correspondent for The Grio (NBC/MSNBC).
- Saw a lack of coverage on tech, science, and entrepreneurship within prominent Black media:
“It kind of niggled me a bit that we didn’t really cover a lot of stories on technology, business, science, and entrepreneurship.” – Kunbi Tinuoye [02:14]
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The Spark & Market Gap
- Inspired by diversity reporting in big tech (2014–2015) and underrepresentation of women/minorities.
- Launched UrbanGeekz in 2015 to address the content gap:
“Technology, when you think about technology, you think about innovation, you think about forward thinking... these companies have so few women and particularly minorities in... tech jobs and management roles as well. So that's really why I set up the brand.” – KT [02:52]
Building UrbanGeekz: The Launch & Growth
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Bootstrapped Beginnings
- Built with minimal resources:
“A labor of love, a lot of blood, sweat and tears... I just knew that I had to do this because I saw very clearly that there was a gap in the market.” – KT [03:59]
- Site launched in February 2015, driven by original content (interviews with Kimberly Bryant, Hank Williams, Rodney Sampson). [04:20]
- Built with minimal resources:
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Why Atlanta?
- Atlanta as an ideal launchpad: thriving Black middle class, emerging tech hub, entertainment industry, major corporate HQs (Coca-Cola).
“Atlanta is a phenomenal place... you meet people of color who, you know, influencers and who are doing really something tangible with their lives.” – KT [06:20] “Atlanta has really got an emerging tech ecosystem that is really starting to grow… and a thriving entertainment industry.” – KT [06:40 & 07:03]
- Atlanta as an ideal launchpad: thriving Black middle class, emerging tech hub, entertainment industry, major corporate HQs (Coca-Cola).
Daily Habits & Essential Tools (09:07)
- Relentless work ethic and focus—uses iPhone Notes for weekly goal lists and motivation (smiley faces for achievements).
- Favorite Tech Tool: Google Analytics, for tracking site traffic, engagement, and audience demographics.
“It gives you an idea of what kind of stories resonate with your readers.” – KT [09:55]
What’s Working: Brand Differentiation & Visuals (10:36)
- Emphasis on clean visuals and brand uniqueness; sites need a unique value proposition rather than replicating existing big players.
“There’s no point duplicating the big players with limited resources. You need to think about something that’s very innovative and original.” – KT [11:30]
- Heavy focus on high-res imagery, in-house video content, and their original video bulletin “Geeks Watch.” [12:45–13:07]
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs (15:12)
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Prioritize innovation and a unique perspective—create something solving a genuine problem you personally care about.
“You have to be driven by passion, passion, passion, passion. Because it’s so difficult, so challenging. If you don’t really believe in the concept… it’s not going to work.” – KT [15:45]
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Importance of a revenue model:
“If you ain’t making money, if you ain’t got any kind of business model, it’s a hobby.” – KT [16:41]
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Be flexible and ready to pivot if the first plan doesn’t work.
Lessons Learned (18:04)
- Underestimated the difficulty:
“I wish I knew... nothing has prepared me for how hard this has been.” – KT [18:10]
- Patience and realism are crucial, especially when bootstrapping.
- Bootstrapping calls for resourcefulness; capital can accelerate but is not the sole indicator of success.
Capital & Scaling: Bootstrapping vs. Investment (20:10)
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Currently bootstrapping but open to investors with the right fit; recognizes that capital is vital for scaling, especially for minority/women founders.
“My definition of a successful business is how much customers do you have, how much growth do you have, how much revenue do you have?” – KT [22:08]
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Advice: Join tech hubs/co-working spaces to learn ecosystem norms and build valuable networks.
“Being in that space has really given me a lot of insight into how it all works.” – KT [23:55]
Influences & Mentorship (27:11)
- Joy Ann Reid (former manager at The Grio, now major MSNBC figure):
“She gives you a rope long enough for you to grow… she trusts you enough. And just, such an upbeat, inspiring spirit.” – KT [29:28]
- Oprah Winfrey:
“Just what she’s achieved as a woman of color... she’s just someone who I just think is just amazing.” – KT [30:44]
Overcoming Challenges
- Worst Moment: Cash flow struggles during bootstrapping.
“When you’re so low on cash... But my takeaway… bootstrapping has taught me to be incredibly resourceful and creative.” – KT [31:18]
- Did not initially envision entrepreneurship as her path—Atlanta’s ecosystem and seeing success in the Black community shifted her perspective. [32:32]
Vision for UrbanGeekz (34:07)
- Aspires for UrbanGeekz to be a “multimedia global brand… as big as TechCrunch, Wired, Mashable.”
- Focus on global reach—US, Europe, Africa, Latin America.
“I want Urban Geeks to be a brand that everyone, you know, like, the way you mention certain brands and everyone’s familiar with it.” – KT [34:21]
- Focus on global reach—US, Europe, Africa, Latin America.
- Expand video content and maintain a global mindset reflecting her own international background. [34:41]
Crafting the Brand Name (35:51)
- Naming UrbanGeekz was a lengthy creative process—chose “geekz” for its positive, catchy connotation.
“The name is so important, really, really important to get the name right.” – KT [36:44]
Motivation in Difficult Times (37:38)
- Returns to her vision and the impact on women/minorities in tech when facing setbacks.
“If I can inspire someone to, you know, for a sign that looks like me to get into technology or to get into entrepreneurship, then I think I’ve done my job.” – KT [39:10]
Most Proudest Achievements (40:28)
- Notable corporate partnerships: AT&T, 20th Century Fox.
- Established competitions and collaborations to provide underrepresented tech founders with opportunities (example: co-working space for women/underrepresented minorities).
- Partnership with 500 Startups.
“We’ve had lots of press... Georgia Technology Association recognized... impacting the startup ecosystem.” – KT [42:45]
Book Recommendation (43:53)
- “The Value in the Valley” by Iyanla Vanzant
“That book was such an impactful book... it’s more like real kind of... self development, self awareness book. But that was a great book for me.” – KT [44:35]
Final Advice: Building an Entrepreneurial Business (46:22)
“If you want to run a business, become an entrepreneur, it has to be fueled by passion and a connection to the problem... you have to have a personal connection because there’s no point just saying, ‘oh, I want to do this’... but definitely passion has to be—it has to be passion-fueled.” – KT [46:35]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On launching with limited resources:
“It’s a labor of love, a lot of blood, sweat and tears.” – KT [03:59]
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On Atlanta’s unique position:
“Atlanta is a phenomenal place. You meet people of color who... are doing really something tangible with their lives.” – KT [06:20]
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On unique brand positioning:
“There’s no point duplicating the big players with limited resources. You need to think about something that’s very innovative and original.” – KT [11:30]
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On advice for new entrepreneurs:
“You have to be driven by passion, passion, passion, passion. Because it’s so difficult, so challenging... If you don’t really believe in the concept... it’s not going to work.” – KT [15:45]
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On the hardest lesson:
“Nothing has prepared me for how hard this has been.” – KT [18:10]
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On company vision:
“I want Urban Geeks to be as big as TechCrunch. I want it to be as big as Wired, Mashable.” – KT [34:15]
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On resourcefulness:
“If someone gave me a check for a million dollars, I wouldn’t have stretched myself to this level.” – KT [32:03]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:12–03:43: Kunbi’s Background, Inspiration for UrbanGeekz
- 03:59–05:28: How UrbanGeekz Was Launched
- 05:34–07:48: Why Atlanta Is Ideal for Minority Entrepreneurship
- 07:57–09:07: Daily Success Habits & Tools
- 09:21–13:07: What’s Working: Brand Strengths & Differentiators
- 14:41–18:04: Transitioning Careers, Entrepreneurial Advice
- 18:10–22:05: Hardest Lessons Learned & Capital Strategies
- 22:05–25:27: The Power of Co-Working Spaces/Tech Ecosystem
- 27:11–30:59: Influencers (Joy Ann Reid & Oprah)
- 31:18–34:01: Worst Moment in Business & Atlanta’s Impact
- 34:07–35:51: UrbanGeekz’s Vision for Global Impact
- 35:51–37:38: The Naming Journey
- 37:45–40:28: Overcoming Bumps—Resetting with Passion & Purpose
- 40:33–43:48: Major Achievements & Partnerships
- 43:53–45:35: Book Recommendation
- 46:22–47:48: Final Advice & Reflections
- 48:04–49:04: Fun Facts Lightning Round (Personal Preferences)
- 49:17–50:04: How to Connect & Support UrbanGeekz
Connect & Support UrbanGeekz
- Website: urbangeekz.com
- Social Media: Find links on the website (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)
- Action: Read, watch, share UrbanGeekz content to support minority and multicultural representation in tech media.