Mark Essien

Mark Essien is an experienced professional with a diverse background. Mark began their career in 1999 as a Software Developer at Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, where they developed file sharing software and transitioned to developing a TV recording tool using DirectShow. In 2003, they founded Standard MPEG, where they designed and personally developed one of the first software MPEG Encoder software for the DirectShow platform. In 2013, they founded Hotels.ng, the biggest hotel booking agency in Nigeria (B2B and retail). In 2016, they became the Chief Mentor of HNG Internship, a team of volunteers that train thousands of software developers and designers for free, and an Investor at Lenco (YC W22). In 2018, they joined the Nigerian Federal Government Advisory Group on Technology and Creativity as a Committee Member, became an Advisor to the Board at First City Monument Bank Limited, and in 2019, they became a Board Member at Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council.

Mark Essien began their educational career at Monika Kindergarten, where they attended primary school from 1992. Mark then moved on to Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, where they completed their secondary school education from 1992 to 1998.