In this exclusive interview with Mogaji ‘Tunde, the Jamaica-born entrepreneur shares how he transformed his personal experience with debt into a powerful mission to educate and empower others, especially within immigrant communities.
1. Can you take us through your journey: what inspired the vision behind Flip and Floss?
I grew up in Spanish Town, Jamaica, where financial insecurity was a daily reality. There was no generational wealth or financial safety net. When I immigrated to Canada, I ended up with over $50,000 in bad consumer debt — simply because I didn’t know any better. It took years of hard work to rebuild.
In 2018, while volunteering with a local charity, I saw how widespread this lack of financial knowledge was — especially in immigrant communities. That experience, combined with an award I received from the CBC in 2020 for my work in financial literacy, became the foundation for Flip & Floss. It gave me both the purpose and the platform to build something meaningful.
2. Given how children, especially in immigrant communities, are influenced by trends and a “get-rich-quick” mindset, how are you ensuring Flip & Floss genuinely fosters long-term financial responsibility?
We meet kids where they are. Flip & Floss uses adaptive AI to monitor user behavior and deliver real-time coaching — helping kids develop smarter financial habits. We also involve parents, providing them with tools to guide their children.
Our goal isn’t just to teach saving and budgeting — it’s to create a lifestyle of financial responsibility. The platform helps kids build financial discipline, protect against online scams, and set themselves up to leave university debt-free — all within a gamified, reward-based ecosystem that feels relevant to their world.
3. Who are some of the current partners supporting Flip & Floss? Is the platform exclusive to Canada and North America?
Our partners include school boards, credit unions, universities, accelerators, and retailers across Canada and the U.S. While our current focus is North America, we see strong potential to expand internationally — particularly in regions like Africa and the Caribbean where youth financial literacy is still underserved.
4. You recently participated in the Founder and Funder First Look Pitch Competition. How have programs like this supported your growth?
They’ve been instrumental. These programs not only provide exposure and feedback but also create a supportive ecosystem for immigrant and Black founders. We’ve connected with mentors, investors, and strategic partners who’ve helped sharpen our vision and accelerate growth.
5. How much funding has Flip & Floss raised to date, and what has it enabled you to accomplish?
So far, we’ve secured over $100,000 in non-dilutive grants and early-stage funding. This has helped us enhance our technology stack, pilot school programs, and build key partnerships. A large portion has gone into developing our AI engine and refining the user experience — making it smarter, safer, and more engaging for families.
6. If presented with a blank cheque today, how much would you need to scale Flip & Floss — and how would it be spent?
We estimate $500,000 would allow us to fully scale. Around 50% would go toward sales and customer acquisition, 40% toward team expansion — particularly within underrepresented communities — and 10% toward further product development and AI automation.
7. Beyond financial literacy, what broader impact does Flip & Floss aim to achieve in communities?
We want to close the wealth and knowledge gap — especially in immigrant and marginalized communities. Flip & Floss isn’t just a platform; it’s a movement. We’re building a community where families grow together, understand money deeply, and make smarter choices that echo for generations.
8. Sustainability is a challenge for many tech startups. How will Flip & Floss stay relevant and operational long-term?
We’re embedding sustainability into our model from day one. That means diversified revenue streams — from institutional licensing and brand partnerships to premium subscriptions.
But beyond revenue, we’re focused on real-world value: using data to adapt, building strong educational content, and evolving with user feedback. Our commitment to families’ financial success is what will sustain us.
9. For parents and guardians, data privacy is a major concern. What safeguards has Flip & Floss implemented?
We take privacy seriously. Our platform uses bank-level encryption and complies with Canada’s PIPEDA and the U.S. COPPA regulations. No data is shared without consent.
Internally, we have strict policies around data use, transparency, and regular oversight from legal, tech, and education experts. Our goal is to earn and maintain every family’s trust.
10. What advice would you give to newcomer immigrants who want to become entrepreneurs in Canada?
Start small, but start. Don’t wait for perfection — it can stall progress. As a newcomer, you may feel like you’re behind, but your resilience and cultural experience are strengths.
Build community. Seek mentors, join accelerators, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. There’s a growing ecosystem here that wants to support immigrant entrepreneurs — but you have to show up.
And finally, be patient with yourself. Entrepreneurship is a marathon. There will be setbacks and doubts, but if your mission is clear, and your “why” is strong, you’ll find your path.
(first published: TBI)
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