Finally, a winner from North Central Zone has emerged for the #StartupNigeria2019 at a Demo Day Event which held at the Ventures Park today, Wednesday 7th of August in Abuja.
Agriple, an innovative and entrepreneurship platform led by Vincent Okoro, a young Nigerian Startup whose innovative pitch aims to provide lasting solution to Food Waste in Nigeria, emerged the winner.
Kayode Oyewole, Head of Investment, Ventures Platform in his opening remarks stated that the Startup Nigeria is 3 Month Incubation Program, designed to support innovative idea-staged companies across Nigeria with funding, mentorship, and training.
“At every stage of the project, we have had winners from various regions however, only one winner would take home the N2 million Naira cash prize”.
“Therefore, the main purpose of the Demo Day event is to showcase and celebrate the startups that participated in the Incubation program”
Kolawole further disclosed that the Start Up Nigeria Project has had unprecedented applications from various regions across the country.
“Since the beginning of the Start Up Nigeria project till now we have had close to 500, 000 applications so the emergence of the winner for North Central Region today should not discourage you as a startup to quit pushing forward your business ideas and project” he remarked
Also speaking at event, Ife Adebayo, Special Assistant to the Vice President on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, congratulated the winner and encouraged those whose applications did not make it to the final stage to continue seeking innovative ideas that would eventually attract investors and partnership.
“Simply because your pitch did not win does not mean your business idea was bad or will not grow and thrive if you don’t give up on it”
“As matter of fact, not emerging a winner today should rather spur you on as budding start ups to research more to have better understanding of your field of business.
“You must continually strive to have better understanding of your business, this would encourage potential investors to invest in whatever idea you are putting forward’ he remarked.
Adebayo also disclosed that it has been part of the Federal Government’s plan to institutionalize attractive ease of doing business in Nigeria, as this would encourage more investors to thrive, support and partner with Startups and small businesses in Nigeria.
Visibly elated winner of the grand prize, Vincent Okoro said wining the prize was a big validation of the innovative idea around Agriple which seeks to provide solution by reducing food waste while creating wealth by directly connecting farmers and consumers.
“Now is the time for us to start delivering efficient services using our innovative ideas at Agriple” he said.