A robotics enthusiast and inventor, he has created a popular game robot and developed a tech platform that streamlines data collection for scientists.

Silas Adekunle (photo) is a prominent Nigerian inventor and tech entrepreneur specializing in robotics. He is the co-founder and CEO of Reach Industries, a company focused on assisting scientists and improving laboratory efficiency to address global challenges swiftly.

Founded in 2020 and based in the UK, Reach Industries offers advanced technological services to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) companies. One of the startup's key innovations is Lumi, an intelligent platform that employs computer vision, voice recognition, and machine learning to capture and analyze operational data.

Lumi serves as a comprehensive assistant throughout the life sciences development process, from research to production. It automates data collection from experiments, observations, and equipment usage, among other functions. This automation saves valuable time, allowing scientists to concentrate on more significant issues while enhancing the reproducibility of their results.

In addition to his work at Reach Industries, Silas Adekunle founded Awarri, a company that leverages artificial intelligence and robotics to provide educational tools and develop sustainable technological solutions for Africa. Awarri aims to create an ecosystem that prepares young people for the future workforce.

Before these ventures, Adekunle co-founded Reach Robotics in 2013, which gained recognition for inventing MekaMon, a gaming robot integrated with a STEM education platform. In 2017, Apple signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Reach Robotics, impressed by the product.

Silas Adekunle earned a bachelor's degree in robotics technology from the University of the West of England in 2014. During his studies from 2012 to 2014, he designed and launched extracurricular robotics sessions.

To gain experience in robotics, he began as a volunteer intern at RustySquid, a robotics company, in 2011. He then served as a verification engineering intern at Infineon Technologies, a semiconductor manufacturer, in 2012, followed by a software internship at GE Aerospace in 2013.

In 2018, Silas Adekunle was recognized on the Financial Times list of the top 100 minority ethnic leaders in technology in the UK. That same year, he was selected for Forbes' 30 Under 30 Europe in the technology category.

Melchior Koba