Accra, Ghana – August 31, 2025. On Saturday, August 30th, the creative heart of Accra beat a little louder as UnwindFest Mixer: Founders Rant 4.0 made its debut at La Foundation for the Arts.
More than 50 founders, creatives, techies, storytellers, and entrepreneurs gathered for an afternoon of honest conversation to rant, network, and connect with like-minded people; these kinds of conversations don’t often happen in a polished environment or panel setting.
This edition was brought to Ghana for the first time by YellowLyfe and Sunset Connect; this edition of UnwindFest was more about people who have kept it in for so long, trying to wear multiple hats in their journey. It was, in the words of attendees, “a moment to exhale.”
Why bring the UnwindFest Mixer to Accra? Why Now?
The gathering opened with a question for Seyi Olaniyan, Convener of YellowLyfe and the mind behind UnwindFest. Why bring the series to Accra?
His answer was simple: Collaboration.
“If we’re going to build sustainable businesses across Africa, we can’t do it alone. We need partnerships with local leaders, communities, and creatives. Sunset Connect made that collaboration possible in Accra.”
This spirit of partnership framed the conversations that followed, reminding the audience that no founder builds in isolation, at least, not successfully.
What was said at the UnwindFest Mixer in Accra?
The discussions leaned on research as much as real life. A Flourish Ventures survey shows that 86% of African tech founders report negative effects on their well-being: 60% anxiety, 58% stress, 52% burnout, and 20% depression. The room responded with knowing nods.
The guiding questions asked:
- What does burnout look like when you’re a creative or entrepreneur in Africa?
- Why do so many founders feel lonely at the top?
- Can investors be true partners, not just pressure points?
The answers were candid. Some founders admitted that the drive to succeed often pushes their well-being to the edge. Others confessed that isolation is a silent weight, especially when “you don’t have anyone to talk to in crisis.”
Who were the panelists at the UnwindFest Mixer: Accra Edition?
The panel featured Eldad Nutakor, Flora Addison, Felix Darko, and Aida Hayfron-Benjamin, who were the major speakers, and Whitney Chinonye Ernest, who moderated the event to perfection. Each brought a different lens to the conversation, from tech to storytelling to wellness, but all agreed that community is key.
Collaboration, they argued, is more than a business strategy; it’s survival. Whether through peer networks, wellness coaching, or simply having a circle to rant to, founders need spaces to be vulnerable without fear of judgment.
What did YellowLyfe achieve in this edition?
Unlike traditional conferences, Founders Rant 4.0 broke the wall between stage and audience. The moderator encouraged everyone to contribute, making the conversations feel communal rather than performative.
That intimacy, where 50 people shared their truths in one room, is what made this debut special.
By the end, the energy was clear: people didn’t just attend an event; they found a support system. They left knowing they weren’t alone in their struggles and with renewed belief that collaboration and wellness are not luxuries but necessities.
What should we look forward to in the coming editions?
For YellowLyfe and Sunset Connect, this first step in Accra is part of a wider vision: to create a pan-African community of founders who are not only building successful ventures but also protecting their well-being. From Lagos to Accra and beyond, the goal is to remind Africa’s builders that while the hustle is real, so is the need to breathe.
UnwindFest Accra proved that with the right mix of honesty, collaboration, and safe spaces, founders don’t just survive, they thrive.
About UnwindFest
UnwindFest is a pan-African conversation series for founders, freelancers, and creatives. It creates space for open dialogue on entrepreneurship, well-being, and community. Through real stories and raw conversations, it helps builders across Africa find connection, relief, and inspiration.
We can’t wait to do this bigger and better with you.