…Over 16,000 applications submitted for 30 spots
Three Nigerian startups – Negs Empire, Dozzy Agricultural Enterprise and Maximus Recycling Solutions – have emerged tops at the Bridge to MassChallenge (B2MC) 2021-22.
Announcing the trio as winners, the organisers, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and MassChallenge said they emerged victorious from over 16,000 applications submitted for 30 spots shortlisted for the competition in December 2021.
The winners are:
• Negs Empire (Founder: Nwakuba Ezinne). Negs Empire is an agricultural technology venture that used the bee-keeping method to improve food security, especially crop production and honey production in localities to remedy insecurity in food supply and reduce low food production output and scarcity and inaccessibility of pure honey by packaging them in affordable pack sizes.
• Dozzy Agriculture (Founder: Nnadozie Ukaegbu). Dozzy is an agricultural technology venture focused on closing the market gap between the fish consumed and fish produced in the fish value chain, through sustainable fish seed productivity and processing.
• Maximus Recycling Solutions (Founder: Johnson Obute). This start-up is an environmental technology that helps people gain financial value for their waste. It uses web technology to help people gain value for their waste and provide a reliable supply of raw material to the local recycling industry in Nigeria.
A statement by NITDA’s head, corporate affairs and external relations, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, said this success is attributed to NITDA’s recruitment of MassChallenge services to implement a customised initiative called B2MC-Nigeria. MassChallenge is a global network for innovators who are working to solve massive challenges. In the last 5 months, NITDA and B2MC have worked together to catalyse entrepreneurial activity to develop and execute innovative ideas and digital technologies.
It said the engagement is set to strengthen the Nigerian innovation ecosystem by providing exposure and access to global business networks, funding opportunities and extensive knowledge to give Nigerian founders equal opportunities for their startup ventures to compete globally.
“The programme kicked off with an in-depth innovation ecosystem assessment that featured a combination of relevant stakeholders’ groups –government agencies, universities, venture capitalists and angel investors, entrepreneurs, corporates, as well as media and influencers.
Subsequently, two hectic boot camps were held. Participating startups had access to classes with curated curricula on global best practices around innovation and entrepreneurship, custom-made mentoring and coaching offered by renowned mentors and access to MassChallenge’s global network.
“Undoubtedly, B2MC is aimed at fostering market-creating innovation, job opportunities and socio-economic development. NITDA is committed to leveraging Nigeria’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem to create wealth and prosperity for Nigeria,” it added.
