Simon EllisCo Founder

United Kingdom - London, England

Passionate about learning, start-ups, tech, and entrepreneurship, but most importantly working with great people to make the world a better place. I believe there is no substitute for hard work (and a little luck) and love finding new ways to solve old problems.

Currently, I devote all my energy to SmartWage, an African technology company I co-founded that is making HR & Communication easier for deskless workforces by connecting employees to their organisations so that both parties can thrive. We have an audacious vision which I am very excited about. Building SmartWage is a dream come true, and we've been lucky enough to assemble an incredible team that I'm positive will continue to turn the dream into reality.

With a background in Accounting & Finance, I’ve spent most of the last 8 years working within small companies & start-ups to influence their growth and trajectory, and have learnt a lot of hard lessons along the way. I always ask why and am curious about why things work as they do. I take huge satisfaction in helping people (clients, colleagues, peers, friends, and family) achieve their goals and devote my energies to this end.

Personally, I am outgoing and ambitious and hold my friends in high regard. I have a generous nature, a good sense of humour, love being outdoors and exercising, and play multiple sports socially.

Outside of SmartWage, I am a 20:40 Founding Member, am part of the Harambean Alliance and an Oppenheimer Fellow. I like to do some Angel Investing where I can, and love getting involved in early-stage start-ups in whatever way I can (primarily so I can learn). I also play a strategic/advisory role to Nutbrook Property, the property company I co-founded.