The journalist who built a big-ticket firm

Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, entrepreneur and the founder of APO Group. PHOTO | COURTESY

Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard is a Franco-Gabonese entrepreneur and the founder of APO Group. It is the leading media relations consultancy and press release distribution service in Africa and the Middle East.

The 43-year-old founded APO Group in 2007, from his living room, using some $11,000 in savings. Having no investors and money to hire staff, Pompigne-Mognard took on all roles, from accounts, to writing proposals, to marketing and selling.