Derrydean Dadzie is a seasoned technology entrepreneur, digital transformation consultant, and policy advisor. Over almost two decades, he has become a respected leader and visionary in technology and fintech. He champions innovation and societal transformation through groundbreaking initiatives and influential roles, advancing research commercialisation, digital transformation, and fintech. His work bridges technology and purpose, delivering lasting impact across communities, businesses, and ecosystems. For Derrydean, every day is a renewed quest to answer the question: How do we create a society better than yesterday?
The Formative Years
Derrydean’s professional journey has been an exciting blend of discovery, impact, and the persistent pursuit of something bigger than himself. Growing up, he was fascinated by how systems work — how small, interconnected pieces can create something transformational. That curiosity became a driving force in his career and his faith in the power of technology to change lives.
At DreamOval, which he co-founded in 2007, his team was pushing boundaries before digital transformation became the buzzword it is today. One of the company’s major milestones was creating Slydepay, now known as Kowri, a platform that revolutionised digital payments in Ghana and Africa. It wasn’t just about convenience; it was about inclusion—about giving people and businesses access to a digital ecosystem that was previously out of reach. But his work didn’t stop there.
Derrydean has always been drawn to solving big, systemic challenges. That led him to projects like CocoaLink, where mobile technology was used to support tens of thousands of cocoa farmers, or Motech, which delivered life-saving health information to mothers in rural areas. And then there was the paperless port project, which digitised Ghana’s port operations, cutting through layers of inefficiency and opening up incredible economic opportunities. In the banking sector, he has helped drive operational transformation, making financial systems more agile, accessible, and responsive.
“These experiences taught me something fundamental: technology isn’t just a tool; it’s a force. It can empower, uplift, and drive progress—not just for individuals but for entire communities, industries, and economies. I wanted to do more than deliver one-off solutions. I wanted to create a space where innovation could thrive consistently and purposefully, where big ideas could become real-world solutions that solve real-world problems. That’s what inspired me to start Heritors Labs,” says Derrydean.
The Innovation Hub
Heritors Labs is, at its heart, a place where innovation thrives. Derrydean likes to think of his team as more than just a technology company. Heritors is a hub for creativity, a home for bold ideas, and a partner to organisations that want to transform how society works with groundbreaking ideas, better serve their customers, and create sustainable growth. It sits at the intersection of technology, research, design, and business strategy, crafting solutions that don’t just meet needs but anticipate them.
Heritors Labs’ services are diverse, but they’re all connected by one central mission: to take ideas from minds to market and projects to prosperity. It specialises in digital transformation, research and innovation commercialisation, software engineering, and e-commerce. At the core of everything the company does is the belief that technology should empower — not complicate — lives and businesses.
One of Heritors’ flagship offerings is SMARTQORE, a low-code digital transformation platform that’s helping businesses rethink what’s possible. SMARTQORE enables organisations to build complex, scalable applications without the traditional cost and complexity of development. It’s designed to simplify operations, automate workflows, and create smarter user experiences. Whether it’s powering digital platforms for enterprises or streamlining processes for startups, SMARTQORE allows organisations to innovate at speed and scale.
In e-commerce, Heritors Labs‘ work with Ordabl stands out. It’s not just an online platform; it’s a way to make life more accessible for people. What makes Ordabl special is its focus on affordability, with people at its core. Features like the buy now, pay later model ensure that individuals and families can access the goods and services they need without financial strain. This approach reflects the belief that commerce should empower communities and foster dignity. For Heritors Labs, e-commerce isn’t just about transactions—it’s about creating opportunities and improving lives.
In the field of research and innovation commercialisation, Heritors Labs helps bridge the gap between bold ideas and practical outcomes, taking groundbreaking research and turning it into real-world solutions. Whether it’s through developing frameworks for innovation ecosystems, building platforms that support commercialisation, or connecting innovators with markets, its focus is always on creating value that lasts. It’s about ensuring that the great ideas born in labs find their way into businesses, communities, and lives.
Initial Challenges
When Derrydean started out as an entrepreneur in the early 2000s, the environment posed significant challenges, from minimal internet infrastructure to a market that undervalued local digital solutions. His team optimised limited resources, invested in creative problem-solving, and strategically partnered to access available infrastructure. Proving their worth through results, they built relationships with clients who began to value local partnerships.
Talent acquisition was tough; sohe and his team would train individuals from scratch only to see them poached by bigger companies. This led to the creation of systems that emphasised culture and knowledge sharing, positioning talent development as a long-term investment. Funding was another hurdle, prompting him to bootstrap and ensure each project brought new opportunities.
“Navigating a politically influenced economy required focusing on core values and building a reputation for integrity and excellence. Despite these challenges, resilience, innovation, and a long-term vision have been key. The improved internet infrastructure and growing digital adoption now position us for sustained success. Each obstacle has shaped my business approach and leadership, making the journey deeply rewarding,” he says.
Factors for Success
Heritors Labs’ success hinges on a few core principles. Its vision is to transform everyday activities and make lives smarter by creating thriving ecosystems in all thinkable sectors. Empathetic innovation guides the company, ensuring people-centric solutions that deliver real value to businesses and communities. Its culture is pivotal, focusing on experiences that foster better outcomes for people, systems, and communities. Execution is key, and it excels at turning complex problems into scalable solutions with real-world impact. Most importantly, its people drive its success. It invests in resourcing and equipping its team, providing the tools, training, and opportunities to excel. This focus on development fosters a strong culture of ownership, aligning with Heritors’ mission and building a lasting legacy for future generations.
Staying Ahead
Heritors Labs thrives by focusing on mindset, people, and connections. With a culture of curiosity and adaptability, it not only keeps up with but also sets the pace of industry changes. Staying deeply connected to communities fuels empathetic innovation, ensuring its solutions are impactful and valued. Collaboration with researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders helps the team stay ahead and shape the industry’s direction. Derrydean’s relentless focus on research and development pushes boundaries and brings bold, practical ideas to life.
“Our people are at the core, and we invest heavily in their growth, providing tools, training, and freedom to excel. This combination of mindset, community, collaboration, R&D, and talent, keeps us ahead, ready to meet today’s challenges and shape tomorrow’s opportunities,” he says.
The Approach to Innovation
For Derrydean, innovation is about constantly asking, how can we move this state another notch? It’s not just about solving problems — it’s about reimagining possibilities. He has a concept he calls ‘Nth-Dimension Thinking’, where he challenges himself and his team to look beyond the current dimension, to go from 3D to 4D to 5D and beyond. It’s about never settling for the status quo, always asking, what’s next?
This mindset is at the core of everything that’s done at Heritors Labs. It’s how they approach building solutions — whether it’s SMARTQORE helping businesses automate and innovate faster, or Ordabl rethinking affordability and accessibility in e-commerce. Every service they deliver is guided by the belief that they can push beyond the obvious, moving the needle for their clients and the communities they serve.
The importance of innovation is clear — it’s what keeps Heritors relevant, impactful, and ahead of the curve. Here, innovation isn’t just a practice; it’s a way of thinking. It drives the team to question, to experiment, and to create solutions that don’t just meet expectations but redefine them. This ensures that their work doesn’t just make an impact — it sets a new standard for what’s possible.
Meeting Client Expectations
At Heritors Labs, solution creation is a collaborative journey with the clients. The team immerses itself in their world, asking insightful questions to deeply understand their needs, challenges, and goals. Their approach is innovative yet thoughtful, ensuring smooth transitions and client confidence. They emphasise templating critical processes for repeatability, standardisation, and alignment with best-in-class models. Balancing agility with thoroughness, they anticipate future needs, creating future-proof solutions. Their commitment to empathy, understanding, and excellence drives them to exceed expectations, delivering impactful solutions that position clients for long-term success.
Keeping the Team Motivated and Ensuring Professional Growth
At Heritors Labs, team motivation begins with clarity. The core team connects each individual’s contributions to the company’s transformative vision, fostering natural alignment. Derrydean makes sure to invest in the team through tools, training, and growth opportunities, promoting innovation. Heritors Labs’ culture of ownership gives autonomy to lead and take risks, with a fail-safe environment for learning from mistakes. Recognising achievements and maintaining open communication ensures everyone feels valued and connected. This balance of trust, empowerment, and vision keeps the team deeply motivated and drives Heritors Labs forward.
Leadership is fostered through hands-on experience and active participation in critical meetings and challenges. This approach builds confidence, sharpens problem-solving skills, and develops leadership grounded in real-world experiences. The team is challenged with complex problems, and also equipped with tools, mentorship, and knowledge to thrive, fostering resilience and decision-making skills.
“Our ’leader of the week’ model ensures everyone, from the CEO to the janitor, can shape operations and solve everyday challenges, embedding leadership across all levels. Continuous development through training programs, courses, and mentorship ensures our team is prepared for the future. Personal mentoring is key, sharing lessons and guiding growth. By involving everyone in meaningful work, challenging them, and investing in their development, we cultivate leaders ready to shape the future,” emphasises Derrydean.
Impact of Emerging Technologies
Emerging technologies like AI and automation have transformed Heritors Labs, reshaping its perception of possibilities. It leverages these technologies for efficiency and innovation, embedding them into the organisation’s core processes. By developing AI-powered tools, Heritors helps researchers and innovators navigate markets and value chains, enabling seamless transitions from labs to markets. Its solutions empower institutions to evolve faster, solve problems effectively, and make transformative decisions. Emerging tech isn’t just a tool — it’s the foundation of Heritors Labs’ approach, driving it to anticipate, innovate, and deliver. This forward-thinking mindset ensures it creates impactful solutions that address today’s challenges and open up new future possibilities.
The Vision
Derrydean’s vision for the next five years is ambitious: expand Heritors Labs globally and become a leader in innovation and transformative tech solutions, creating meaningful impact. The company aims to commercialise African research, scaling it globally to build vibrant research economies, bridging value chain gaps and creating livelihoods.
Global expansion is key to identifying impactful markets and driving transformative innovation. Heritors Labs helps organisations and communities move from labs to markets with groundbreaking yet practical solutions. Building ecosystems through partnerships with businesses, academia, and policymakers, amplifies its impact.
People are central and Heritors will invest in talent and leadership development within the organisation and communities. Strengthening R&D capabilities will ensure it stays ahead of trends and meets emerging needs.
“Our goal is to scale impact, empowering organisations, creating enriching livelihoods, and transforming lives. The next five years are about building a future I’m excited for,” concludes Derrydean.
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A Quote to Live By:
One quote that has always resonated deeply with me is, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
It’s a constant reminder that while the future may feel uncertain, we have the power to shape it. For me, this is the essence of leadership and innovation — taking bold steps today to build a future that reflects our vision. Whether it’s through the solutions we create, the people we empower, or the ecosystems we nurture, this quote serves as a guide to stay proactive, purposeful, and forward-thinking. It’s not just about waiting to see what happens; it’s about making it happen.
Thoughts on the Future of Technology and Innovation
The future of technology offers infinite possibilities, dissolving boundaries between the physical, digital, and biological realms. As a futurist, I believe it’s defined by using technology to transform lives meaningfully and sustainably. At Heritors Labs, we embrace “Nth-dimension thinking” — constantly pushing boundaries while deeply understanding the needs of people and ecosystems.
We’re not just leveraging technologies like AI and automation; we’re reimagining their potential. Our AI-driven tools help researchers and innovators navigate value chains and accelerate from labs to market, shaping new paradigms. Empathetic innovation is embedded in every solution, ensuring they are human-centred and advanced.
Collaboration is vital, and we partner across industries, academia, and governments to shape the future. We invest in our people, equipping them with the mindset and tools to lead in this evolving landscape. At Heritors Labs, we’re not just preparing for the future — we’re building it, creating solutions that anticipate what’s coming and empower people and institutions to achieve more, leaving an enduring legacy.
This forward-thinking approach ensures we remain at the cutting edge, making a real impact on the world.
Derrydean’s advice for Business Leaders to Scale their Companies
Start with a vision. Set it vast — so vast that it exceeds your lifetime. A strong vision serves as your north star, anchoring and guiding you even when the path gets unclear. Scaling is a journey, and you must navigate it relentlessly, staying nimble and adapting as circumstances change. The tech world moves fast; your ability to adjust while holding onto your core vision is what will set you apart.
Next, document and template. Many leaders underestimate the power of writing things down. Your culture, your operations, your aspirations — capture them in words and frameworks. Writing your reality, or even your ambition, has a way of manifesting it. It gives clarity to your team, consistency to your operations, and scalability to your business.
Then there are people — your most valuable asset. The right team can take you from zero to a hundred; the wrong team can bring you from a hundred to zero. Invest in your people, empower them, and make them feel part of the vision. With the right talent, you can create something out of nothing, but without it, even the best plans will falter.
Finally, focus on partners. Your partners want to be part of the journey — don’t ghost them. Scaling is not just about celebrating wins; it’s about navigating challenges transparently. Share your highs and your lows, your successes and your failures. Many partners value a transparent failure over an opaque success because it fosters trust and helps them support you better. Scaling isn’t just about the destination; it’s about building a journey others want to walk with you.
Lead with vision, empower your people, and nurture your partnerships. Scaling is never easy, but with the right focus and commitment, it’s not just possible — it is transformative.
Quote: "At the core of our vision is a simple belief: success should be generational. The work we do today should resonate far beyond us, creating opportunities and successes that ripple through time, touching lives and transforming futures."Quote: “My professional journey has been a mix of grit, vision, and an unshakeable belief that Africa has what it takes to lead on the global stage.”
Quote: “We’re not just participants in this digital revolution; we have the creativity, resilience, and ingenuity to shape it.”
Read full magazine: Africa’s 5 Most Empowering Business Leaders to Follow in 2025
