Tope Awotona

Tope Awotona: Nigerian-American Tech Entrepreneur and Founder of Calendly Tope Awotona is a Nigerian-American technology entrepreneur best known as the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Calendly, a leading scheduling automation platform. His success in the tech industry has established him as one of the wealthiest Black billionaires in the United States. Early Life and Education Awotona was born in 1981 in Lagos, Nigeria. His family possessed an entrepreneurial spirit, with his father, a microbiologist, leaving his professional job to start his own company. However, when Awotona was 12 years old, his father was fatally shot during a carjacking, an event Awotona later cited as a catalyst, saying he felt his father "didn't get a chance to complete his work." Following this tragedy, his family eventually moved to the United States. Awotona attended Wheeler High School before pursuing higher education at the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business. Career and Founding of Calendly Prior to founding Calendly, Awotona worked in sales for various software companies. He developed the concept for Calendly in 2013 out of personal frustration with the inefficient back-and-forth required for scheduling meetings. He reportedly used his personal savings to fund the initial development of the company. Calendly, which streamlines the process of booking appointments, grew rapidly by addressing a widespread business need. Major Achievements and Net Worth Calendly's valuation soared in the 2020s, cementing Awotona's status as a major figure in the tech world. As of 2025, *Forbes* estimated his net worth at $1.4 billion, making him one of a small number of Black tech billionaires in the United States. Beyond his business success, Awotona and Calendly have engaged in philanthropic activities, including donations exceeding $100,000 to organizations such as Black Girls Code and My Brother's Keeper. Additionally, the company was noted for its efforts in helping to evacuate its Ukraine-based employees following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Current Status As of the current date, Tope Awotona continues to serve as the CEO of Calendly, driving the company's growth and expansion in the scheduling software market. He remains a highly influential figure in global technology and entrepreneurship.