News
I don’t Want to Assume Everyone Here Know #startupsouth and What It’s About
Introduction
Startupsouth is Nigeria’s premier Startup Conference focusing on founders mainly in the South-South and South-East of the country.
It’s main objectives is to educate, expose and possibly attract funding to founders in the states that make up these geo-political regions. More on Startupsouth including videos from last year here.
Why #StartupSouth?
Well, because Lagos already have all the exposure and in fact is believed (rightly so) as the main startup hub in Nigeria. Some even think it’s the only one and it’s to help this second category of people that #StartupSouth was instituted. Another reason is to encourage local HNIs to lead the way in investing in early stage ventures as a tool to reduce youth related vices.
Application, Selection & Training
We had a total of 24 Startups apply to Pitch at #StartupSouth2. 10 of them will receive virtual and physical training by Uchey Ariolu (of Foodstantly.com) & others
At the end of the training ending with a mock pitch, 4 will be selected to pitch at #StartupSouth2. Each of them will get a free pass to the networking Dinner and possibly investments.
The Criteria
With the exception of one, it’s important to note they are all early stage startups. Hence criteria used are:
Social Media Presence: The thinking here was to demonstrate founders ability to utilize free resources for promotion.
Market Size: Is there enough potential users or custoners for the solution?
Scalability: How difficult/easy can it get to scale the idea.
Innovation: How innovative is the idea? Can it be replicated easily?
Relevance: How relevant is the solution both now and into the future.
Team: How compact and skilled the team is and their ability to progress solution to a more investible stage.
Traction: What level of progress has the team achieved on the solution so far? Product dev, user signups, Revenue.
The Breakdown
We received applications from Startups in 5States namely – Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Delta and Bayelsa. Our eventual goal is to cover 11States.
We received entry from Startups operating in Agro-Alied, Fin-Tech, eCommerce, Edutech, Energy, Fashion and Entertainment.
The Startups
The following Startups have been shortlisted to progress to the next phase.
wattclass (www.wattclass.com) – An online learning platform that enable to tutors and students get value for their time and money respectively, it’s like the Nigerian Coursera
Dresnice (www.dresnice.com) – Online Tailoring Shop that allows you to order and select designs and get it them made and delivered to you.
Studacom (www.Studacom.ng) – Online off-campus student hostel booking and roommate finding platform
Notify – Smart school solution that automates test/exams with integrated schools fees collection and reconciliation feature.
Ioumoney (www.ioumoney.com.ng) – Online directory for loan providers in Nigeria.
Piston Park – Producers of organic Solar Cell for electricity generation by recycling waste lead from lead acid accumulator batteries used in cars
Payconnect (www.payconnect.ng) – Online Lending portal for the un-banked. Allows for quick loan application
Mabiri(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mabiri.store) – find and buy item from local stores/retailers near you. Helping to bring more street corner shops online for the growing population of Smartphone wielding shoppers.
MusicCloud (www.musiccloud.com.ng.) – Online streaming portal that connects unsigned artistes to their fans. Gives them dedicated pages that allow fans to discover and follow their up and coming stars just like Reverbnation
Garden Groceries (No Website Yet) – An online grocery store that delivers fresh ORGANIC farm produce and products to corporate buyers using an ordering app and delivery support.
News
Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria
Legit.ng recently joined forces with the Shade of Life Foundation to become a voice of autism, and drive advocacy for improved media support during Autism Awareness Month.
Conversations around media support exploration was led by Joseph Omotayo, head of Department for Human Interest Stories at Legit.ng, and Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and CEO of the Shade of Life Foundation,
This partnership is a response to the concerns raised by organizations like the Shade of Life Foundation about the level of support received from the media in discussing autism as a disability.
While other disabilities may receive attention, autism, with its critical developmental implications often lacks adequate representation in mainstream media.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Legit.ng took proactive steps by integrating itself into the essence of autism awareness.
It facilitated a one-hour workshop with Dr. Nwokolo, the founder of the foundation, to deepen our understanding of autism, its various spectrums, and the language boundaries associated with it.
Other steps we took in advocating autism awareness in the media, can be seen in our attached press release.
Legit.ng believes that by amplifying the voices of autism and advocating for better media representation, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
News
As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply
While 85 per cent of Nigeria is in darkness, Tanzania, an African country has shut down five hydroelectric stations in a bid to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.
Kassim Majaliwa, prime minister, Tanzania, has said the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, alone generated enough electricity to power major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.
It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations due to excess production.
“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from state-run power company, Tanesco, said.
The 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam is said to be almost filled with water following heavy rains that started early this year.
Meanwhile, while the country has an installed capacity of 1,938MW and the grid installed capacity of 1,899MW, Nigeria which has an installed capacity of 13,000MW is struggling to electrify 85 per cent of its electricity consumers.
News
President Tinubu Appoints Jim Ovia as Student Loan Fund Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jim Ovia, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Ovia’s appointment is contained in a State House statement titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,’ and issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President, Media & Publicity.
The statement noted that “Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.”
The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.
“The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds,” the statement partly read.
Ovia’s appointment will also ensure “that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.”
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