The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has announced the shortlist of tech innovators advancing to the final pitch at its annual flagship Techpreneur Summit. This initiative leverages cutting-edge technology to bolster the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria’s tech sector.
Theme and Objectives
– Theme: “Catalysing Tech Innovation: Empowering Entrepreneurs for Regenerative Growth”
– Goal: To support and showcase tech innovations ready for investors within Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing eligible techpreneurs access to a pipeline of investors and funding.
Process and Selection
– Over 100 IT companies submitted proposals before the deadline.
– A panel of reputable industry professionals conducted a pre-selection session to evaluate applications based on established standards.
– Twenty tech entrepreneurs from sectors such as finance, health tech, transportation, and IoT advanced to the final pitch round.
Statements and Goals
– Dr. Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director/CEO of DBN: Emphasized the importance of the pre-selection process in identifying the best innovators. Highlighted the bank’s commitment to equitable economic growth and raising Nigerians’ living standards by supporting MSMEs and tech innovators.
– Comfort Aruosa-Osemwegie, Managing Director of Addium Capital**: Announced a partnership with DBN to host an exclusive Deal Room during the summit, providing techpreneurs with direct access to at least 50 curated investors on July 10th. The pre-screening aimed to ensure that the startups presented to investors are investment-ready.
Impact and Future Prospects
The Techpreneur Summit 2024 aims to catalyze tech innovation and empower entrepreneurs, contributing to Nigeria’s GDP growth by facilitating the scaling up of MSMEs and tech innovators. This initiative is set to enhance the viability and potential of tech startups, boosting their confidence and chances of success in securing investments.
