The Ministry of Science and Technology (Ekovention), representing the Lagos State Government, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to nurturing and advancing the tech ecosystem in Nigeria. This commitment was showcased during the highly anticipated Lagos Pitch Event, held on May 12, 2023, at the prestigious Eko Innovation Centre, the event showcased a remarkable display of cutting-edge solutions, with the crème de la crème of pitches presented to jurors possessing vast experience. The task of selecting the winners was no easy feat, as the competition between ideas proved fierce. However, it is important to highlight that the future belongs to those visionary entrepreneurs who are ready to tackle common problems head-on.
Among the multitude of talented participants, a careful deliberation led to the selection of eight fortunate startups, each poised to present their groundbreaking ideas at the prestigious GITEX Global 2023 event, slated to take place in Dubai. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that some of these deserving winners will also have the privilege of attending the forthcoming Gitex Africa event in Morocco, further enhancing their exposure and networking opportunities.
Speaking at the event, Olatunbosun Alake, the Special Adviser to Lagos State on Innovation and Technology, reiterated the government's dedication to catalyzing the growth of startups in Lagos State. Alake emphasized that the establishment of the Office of Innovation and Technology was aimed at supporting startups, having already provided assistance to over 400 startups through funding, workspace vouchers, idea hubs, mentorship programs, and roadshow activities. He expressed the reward and joy the Lagos State government derives from seeing these startups raise more funds and create job opportunities for residents. "It is an opportunity for Lagos startups to showcase their ingenuity across a global audience, as it helps to validate their products and services, puts them in front of other competitors, and opens doors for investment opportunities in Nigeria," Alake stated.
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Olatubosun Alake, Special Adviser to Lagos State Government on Innovation and Technology
GITEX Global, recognized as a paramount tech event, has attracted an astonishing number of over 150,000 trade visitors from more than 40 countries across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Last year, the Lagos State Government collaborated with the Eko Innovation Centre to generously sponsor 15 startups to participate in GITEX Global, with five of them achieving notable success by reaching the semi-finals.
The selected startups have distinguished themselves by offering innovative products and services spanning various sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, finance, education, smart city development, IoT and data mining, food technology, supply chain management, and crop yield optimization. The event provides an exceptional platform for early-stage startups based in Lagos State to present their remarkable technological advancements and transformative projects to potential investors at GITEX Global—an opportunity that arises annually.
Victor Afolabi, the founder of the Eko Innovation Center, stated that the initiative aims to deepen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and reduce unemployment in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. Afolabi expressed his optimism that the entrepreneurs would form partnerships and collaborations to commercialize their businesses, expand their market share, and contribute to alleviating the economic challenges and eradicating the high rate of poverty prevalent in the country.
Victor Gbenga Afolabi, Founder Eko Innovation Centre
The winners of the GITEX Pitch event include Dataleum, Pocket Food, Getequity, Africa Comicade, Fus Pay Technology, Instant Rad, Alajo, and Byte. These startups will receive sponsorship from the Lagos State Government, facilitating their participation in GITEX Global.
Oscar Michael, the founder of Africa Comicade, a platform for African digital creatives in gaming, animation, comics, and XR, expressed his delight at the transformational win. He sees this opportunity as a platform to showcase Nigeria as the gaming hub in Africa and aims to establish Nigeria as the forefront of gaming on the continent.
The Lagos Roadshow Event received an overwhelming response, with over 130 entries for the pitch competition. After a rigorous selection process, the best 30 were shortlisted to pitch, and eventually, eight startups emerged as winners.
Akande Ojo, President of Pinnacle Global Business Services Limited, addressed the press and highlighted the African focus of the event. He revealed that the Dubai World Trade Centre is partnering with the Nigerian government, including the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, NITDA, as well as local partners such as the Lagos State Government.
Akande Ojo, President Pinnacle Global Business Services
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