How Nigerian Student Oluwapelumi Dada’s Bold Hustle Took Him From Lagos to Silicon Valley
When Nigerian student Oluwapelumi Dada spotted entrepreneur and My First Million podcast host Sam Parr jogging through San Francisco, he didn’t hesitate. Jumping on his bike, he chased Parr down to pitch a bold idea — an app that helps students apply for multiple jobs at once. That single encounter set off a chain of events that would eventually take him from a Lagos upbringing to Y Combinator, Silicon Valley’s world-renowned startup accelerator.
From Lagos Dreams to a Silicon Valley Breakthrough
After relocating to the United States two years ago for his studies, Dada immersed himself in tech innovation. He began building apps, sharing his progress online, and gradually attracting attention within student tech circles. In a bold career move, he turned down internship offers from Tesla and Dell to focus entirely on his startup, originally named One Click Apply.
The app sought to simplify job applications for students by allowing them to submit to multiple positions with a single click. Despite financial constraints, Dada joined The Residency, a hacker house in San Francisco where young founders live, build, and collaborate. There, he convinced two fellow Nigerians, David Aladee and Damilola Ajayi, to join him in refining his vision.
Building “Sorce” — The “Tinder for Jobs”
Together, they rebranded the startup as Sorce, describing it as “Tinder for jobs,” where students and employers connect effortlessly. Their grit and ingenuity soon attracted attention from Hugo Thieblot, a notable tech investor, and Founders Inc., a startup collective that offered the team seed funding to expand development.
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Though they missed Y Combinator’s application deadline, the team applied anyway — and weeks later, received a life-changing call from David Lieb, YC’s partner. “We got a call that we got in. Dreams do come true,” Dada wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Journey Behind the Vision
Dada’s story is deeply rooted in years of curiosity and persistence. Born in Oyo State, he attended Rehoboth Peace Academy and Salem Academy in Abuja before graduating from Government Science Secondary School. Today, he studies Computer Science at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, on a full-tuition scholarship.
His early exposure to technology came from his parents — his mother, Temitayo Dada, introduced him to computers at a young age, while his father, Kehinde Dada, a graphic designer, inspired his creative side. Dada began experimenting with coding at 11, learning Java before transitioning to web design with HTML and Wix during secondary school.
Scholarships, Service, and a Global Vision
Dada is a recipient of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) Scholarship, which supports United Methodist students in the U.S. and abroad. He has combined academic excellence with community service, often emphasizing how faith and innovation guide his purpose.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this scholarship,” he shared. “It has allowed me to focus on my studies and professional development. My goal is to gain the advanced knowledge needed to innovate and solve complex global problems.”
The Future: Reinventing Global Recruitment
Looking ahead, Dada envisions transforming how recruitment works worldwide. “Recruiting today is broken,” he said. “It’s hard for both companies and applicants. My goal is to make job applications seamless — one click, anywhere in the world.”
Through Sorce, he aims to build a universal job-application standard — where students no longer have to repeat the same process across dozens of sites. His story embodies a new wave of African tech founders breaking barriers and competing confidently on the global stage.