When he who does not know learns, he gets to know.
dillion s.
phiri
I’m dillion s phiri — an award-winning Johannesburg-based social sculptor, strategist, dot connector, entrepreneur, product designer, and filmmaker.
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Dillion S. Phiri is a Zimbabwe-Malawian creative entrepreneur and ecosystem builder who has dedicated over 13 years to transforming Africa's creative landscape. As founder of Creative Nestlings and other key initiatives, he has built bridges between corporations, tech startups, creative professionals, and entrepreneurs, facilitating over $5.4M in revenue while nurturing a community of 100,000+ creatives.
Known as a "social sculptor," Dillion's work spans venture building, creative industry development, and technology integration. His approach combines strategic vision with practical implementation, whether launching creative hubs, developing digital platforms, or producing documentary films. Through his leadership roles at I'M IN accelerator, J&B Hive, and various creative enterprises, he has mentored countless entrepreneurs while pioneering new models for creative ecosystem development.
A natural dot-connector and storyteller, Dillion leverages his background in business technology to streamline processes and create opportunities at the intersection of creativity, technology, and commerce. His current focus includes developing next-generation platforms for community management and continuing to build sustainable infrastructures that empower African creatives to thrive globally.
Founder, Creative Strategist
Creative Nestlings
Feb 2011 - December 2024
Founded and led Creative Nestlings (2011-present), a pan-African organization empowering 100000+ young creatives through consulting services (design, tech, research), events (creative talks, workshops, conferences), content creation (film, publishing), and infrastructure development (creative hubs, funding programs). Established key initiatives including J&B Hive and V&A Waterfront Artist Alliance incubator, while partnering with major brands (J&B Whisky, Yoco, MINI, British Council). Notable projects include publishing "What It Takes" and co-directing the "Zero to A Hundred" documentary.
Founder, Creative Strategist
Creative Nestlings
Feb 2011 - December 2024
Founded and led Creative Nestlings (2011-present), a pan-African organization empowering 100000+ young creatives through consulting services (design, tech, research), events (creative talks, workshops, conferences), content creation (film, publishing), and infrastructure development (creative hubs, funding programs). Established key initiatives including J&B Hive and V&A Waterfront Artist Alliance incubator, while partnering with major brands (J&B Whisky, Yoco, MINI, British Council). Notable projects include publishing "What It Takes" and co-directing the "Zero to A Hundred" documentary.
Founder, Creative Strategist
Creative Nestlings
Feb 2011 - December 2024
Founded and led Creative Nestlings (2011-present), a pan-African organization empowering 100000+ young creatives through consulting services (design, tech, research), events (creative talks, workshops, conferences), content creation (film, publishing), and infrastructure development (creative hubs, funding programs). Established key initiatives including J&B Hive and V&A Waterfront Artist Alliance incubator, while partnering with major brands (J&B Whisky, Yoco, MINI, British Council). Notable projects include publishing "What It Takes" and co-directing the "Zero to A Hundred" documentary.
Freelance Creative & Project Consultant
CURATICA
Feb 2020 - 30 August 2024
Supporting Curatica on creative projects and business development, ensuring that the organization is speaking to the right partners and helping them with market access.
Freelance Creative & Project Consultant
CURATICA
Feb 2020 - 30 August 2024
Supporting Curatica on creative projects and business development, ensuring that the organization is speaking to the right partners and helping them with market access.
Freelance Creative & Project Consultant
CURATICA
Feb 2020 - 30 August 2024
Supporting Curatica on creative projects and business development, ensuring that the organization is speaking to the right partners and helping them with market access.
Entrepreneur In Residence
I'M IN Entreprenuerial Programme
March 2022 - 30 September 2024
As the lead coach for entrepreneurs in the Accelerator, Pre-Accelerator, and Ideation Incubator programs, I developed strategies to support entrepreneurial growth. I participated in raising over R45 million in Pre-Seed funding, creating over 2,500 jobs across 3 tracks. I also contributed to marketing, events, and programming strategies for the ecosystem, working with startups like Ambani, Credipple, Jobox, and Vuleka.
Entrepreneur In Residence
I'M IN Entreprenuerial Programme
March 2022 - 30 September 2024
As the lead coach for entrepreneurs in the Accelerator, Pre-Accelerator, and Ideation Incubator programs, I developed strategies to support entrepreneurial growth. I participated in raising over R45 million in Pre-Seed funding, creating over 2,500 jobs across 3 tracks. I also contributed to marketing, events, and programming strategies for the ecosystem, working with startups like Ambani, Credipple, Jobox, and Vuleka.
Entrepreneur In Residence
I'M IN Entreprenuerial Programme
March 2022 - 30 September 2024
As the lead coach for entrepreneurs in the Accelerator, Pre-Accelerator, and Ideation Incubator programs, I developed strategies to support entrepreneurial growth. I participated in raising over R45 million in Pre-Seed funding, creating over 2,500 jobs across 3 tracks. I also contributed to marketing, events, and programming strategies for the ecosystem, working with startups like Ambani, Credipple, Jobox, and Vuleka.
CTO
KGOPELANG MEDICAL SERVICES
12 APRIL 2022 - 30 June 2023
Managing the sales and marketing team and developing relevant strategies to support the business operations and growth as part of a business support intervention from IDF Capital. Also supported product team with user mapping and user acquisition strategies
CTO
KGOPELANG MEDICAL SERVICES
12 APRIL 2022 - 30 June 2023
Managing the sales and marketing team and developing relevant strategies to support the business operations and growth as part of a business support intervention from IDF Capital. Also supported product team with user mapping and user acquisition strategies
CTO
KGOPELANG MEDICAL SERVICES
12 APRIL 2022 - 30 June 2023
Managing the sales and marketing team and developing relevant strategies to support the business operations and growth as part of a business support intervention from IDF Capital. Also supported product team with user mapping and user acquisition strategies
2
short doccies
2
short doccies
2
short doccies
3
Startups
3
Startups
3
Startups
$5mil
Impact
$5mil
Impact
$5mil
Impact
ENTRPRENEUR
SOCIAL SCULPTOR
FILMMAKER
STRATEGIST
ENTRPRENEUR
SOCIAL SCULPTOR
FILMMAKER
STRATEGIST
PORTFOLIO
I FREELANCE AS A CREATIVE DESIGNER, FILMMAKER, CONTENT CREATOR ETC.
ZERO TO A HUNDRED
Co-Director | Documentary
2019
🔎 Zero To A Hundred travels between Johannesburg and Cape Town to meet the people defining innovation on African terms. Shot over six months, we meet a diverse group of creators, entrepreneurs, and investors in different industries to find out what innovation means to them, what the state of opportunity is, and where they see it all going. 2 cities. 6 months. 20 creators. The start of an African innovation story.
ZERO TO A HUNDRED
Co-Director | Documentary
2019
🔎 Zero To A Hundred travels between Johannesburg and Cape Town to meet the people defining innovation on African terms. Shot over six months, we meet a diverse group of creators, entrepreneurs, and investors in different industries to find out what innovation means to them, what the state of opportunity is, and where they see it all going. 2 cities. 6 months. 20 creators. The start of an African innovation story.
ZERO TO A HUNDRED
Co-Director | Documentary
2019
🔎 Zero To A Hundred travels between Johannesburg and Cape Town to meet the people defining innovation on African terms. Shot over six months, we meet a diverse group of creators, entrepreneurs, and investors in different industries to find out what innovation means to them, what the state of opportunity is, and where they see it all going. 2 cities. 6 months. 20 creators. The start of an African innovation story.
SEEDS OF CHANGE
Director | Documentary
2025
"Seeds of Change" follows artist Nonka Mbonambi and her grandmother Rejoice's gum tree farm in KwaZulu-Natal, where climate change is transforming both the landscape and community health. Through their intimate relationship, the documentary reveals how extreme weather events - from unprecedented snowstorms to devastating wildfires - are creating mounting health challenges in rural communities. As Nonka steps into managing the farm her grandmother started in 1965, we witness how traditional wisdom and new adaptations can help communities protect their health and future in the face of environmental change.
SEEDS OF CHANGE
Director | Documentary
2025
"Seeds of Change" follows artist Nonka Mbonambi and her grandmother Rejoice's gum tree farm in KwaZulu-Natal, where climate change is transforming both the landscape and community health. Through their intimate relationship, the documentary reveals how extreme weather events - from unprecedented snowstorms to devastating wildfires - are creating mounting health challenges in rural communities. As Nonka steps into managing the farm her grandmother started in 1965, we witness how traditional wisdom and new adaptations can help communities protect their health and future in the face of environmental change.
SEEDS OF CHANGE
Director | Documentary
2025
"Seeds of Change" follows artist Nonka Mbonambi and her grandmother Rejoice's gum tree farm in KwaZulu-Natal, where climate change is transforming both the landscape and community health. Through their intimate relationship, the documentary reveals how extreme weather events - from unprecedented snowstorms to devastating wildfires - are creating mounting health challenges in rural communities. As Nonka steps into managing the farm her grandmother started in 1965, we witness how traditional wisdom and new adaptations can help communities protect their health and future in the face of environmental change.
CREATIVITY KNOWS NO BORDERS
PODCAST HOST + SHOW CREATOR
2019
"Creativity Knows No Borders" is a podcast series exploring how migration shapes creative expression in Africa. Through intimate conversations with creatives who move across the continent, we delve into their journeys, challenges, and innovations, celebrating how creativity transcends physical boundaries. Hosted by dillion s. phiri and powered by Creative Nestlings. This work was made possible through the support of Africa No Filter, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, with funding provided by GIZ on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
CREATIVITY KNOWS NO BORDERS
PODCAST HOST + SHOW CREATOR
2019
"Creativity Knows No Borders" is a podcast series exploring how migration shapes creative expression in Africa. Through intimate conversations with creatives who move across the continent, we delve into their journeys, challenges, and innovations, celebrating how creativity transcends physical boundaries. Hosted by dillion s. phiri and powered by Creative Nestlings. This work was made possible through the support of Africa No Filter, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, with funding provided by GIZ on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
CREATIVITY KNOWS NO BORDERS
PODCAST HOST + SHOW CREATOR
2019
"Creativity Knows No Borders" is a podcast series exploring how migration shapes creative expression in Africa. Through intimate conversations with creatives who move across the continent, we delve into their journeys, challenges, and innovations, celebrating how creativity transcends physical boundaries. Hosted by dillion s. phiri and powered by Creative Nestlings. This work was made possible through the support of Africa No Filter, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, with funding provided by GIZ on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
COFFEE WITH DILLION
PODCAST HOST + SHOW CREATOR
2019
out of sheer curiosity dillion s. phiri grabs a coffee (sometimes they drink tea/hotchocolate) with some interesting people. Thats all.
COFFEE WITH DILLION
PODCAST HOST + SHOW CREATOR
2019
out of sheer curiosity dillion s. phiri grabs a coffee (sometimes they drink tea/hotchocolate) with some interesting people. Thats all.
COFFEE WITH DILLION
PODCAST HOST + SHOW CREATOR
2019
out of sheer curiosity dillion s. phiri grabs a coffee (sometimes they drink tea/hotchocolate) with some interesting people. Thats all.
I'M IN
WEBSITE
2022
Rebuilt I'M's website on webflow, the designs is a open minimalist style and responsive allowing for more information and a easy exeperience for entrepreneurs, investors alike.
I'M IN
WEBSITE
2022
Rebuilt I'M's website on webflow, the designs is a open minimalist style and responsive allowing for more information and a easy exeperience for entrepreneurs, investors alike.
I'M IN
WEBSITE
2022
Rebuilt I'M's website on webflow, the designs is a open minimalist style and responsive allowing for more information and a easy exeperience for entrepreneurs, investors alike.
CREATIVE NESTLINGS
WEBSITE + DIRECTORY
FRAMER - 2024
CREATIVE NESTLINGS
WEBSITE + DIRECTORY
FRAMER - 2024
CREATIVE NESTLINGS
WEBSITE + DIRECTORY
FRAMER - 2024
Looking to start a project or you need consultation? Feel free to contact me.
Johannesburg, South Africa