A successful rise echoed through the entrepreneurial landscape as five innovative Nigerian start-up entrepreneurs emerged as winners of the prestigious Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF), securing an esteemed award totaling €120,000. The commendable victors who clinched this esteemed recognition include the visionary minds behind Integrated Aerial Precision Ltd (1st Position), Femi Adekoya; Alchol Chemicals Limited (2nd Position), helmed by Adewale Adesanwo; Clove Kids International (3rd Position), with Queen Uwabuofu at the helm; Grocircular Agro Allied Services Ltd. (4th Position), under the leadership of Rebecca Andeshi; and Zayith Food Company (5th Position), spearheaded by Chidimma Uzoma.
This resonating triumph unfolded within the realm of Orange Corners, an initiative orchestrated by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and introduced to Nigeria in 2019. The initiative’s dynamic execution rests in the capable hands of FATE Foundation, geared towards nurturing and fortifying the entrepreneurial spirit within Nigeria’s boundaries. Acting as a robust launchpad, Orange Corners fosters enterprise development, extends mentoring, facilitates market access, and opens the doors to promising funding avenues.
Draped in a rich legacy, the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) has been the linchpin of empowerment for a remarkable cohort of 120 entrepreneurs. This illustrious platform has bestowed over a staggering N336,000,000 in grant funding to pioneers, fueling prototype development and rigorous testing. The Executive Director of FATE Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi, radiated enthusiasm as she emphasized, “We are elated to extend our recognition and early-stage funding to these exceptional Nigerian entrepreneurs, propelling their visions to create, develop, and test their innovative concepts. Our core mission lies in bolstering their business foundations, preparing them for future investment opportunities and sustainable growth.”
A seminal chapter in this empowering saga unfolded during the Orange Corners Innovation Fund pitch competition held on the 19th and 20th of April 2023. The pulsating heart of the competition beat within the halls of FATE Foundation’s headquarters in Ilupeju, Lagos. An esteemed panel of industry savants, including Sonia Onovughakpo Fajusigbe, Economic and trade Adviser at the Netherlands Consulate General; Gbenga Abogan, the astute Manager of Investment at VEROD Capital Management; and Tayo Adelaja, the erudite Head of Corporate Affairs at Nigerian Breweries Plc, expertly evaluated the participating ventures on their innovation quotient, feasibility, scalability, sustainability, and market acumen.
The occasion was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, among them Ward Karssemeijer, Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Advisor at Orange Corners. The resounding sentiment of support resonated in the words of the Special Guest of Honor, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Michel Deelen, who commended Nigeria’s vibrant entrepreneurial culture and lauded the remarkable strides achieved by the Orange Corners initiative. Deelen assured that the Kingdom of the Netherlands remains a steadfast ally, unwavering in its commitment to nurturing Nigeria’s burgeoning entrepreneurship ecosystem.
