As part of its plans to strengthen its digital solutions ecosystem, the Edo State Government, with the support of Co-creation Hub and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has announced its plans to provide sub-grants to 50 startups.
[Thursday, February, 1st, 2024 – Benin, Nigeria] The Edo State Government and Co-Creation Hub have announced application calls for innovative tech startups to join the “Strengthening Edo State’s Digital Solutions Ecosystem” program. The initiative, which is a component of the state’s Digi Link program, aims to bridge the gap between ecosystem players and the government to co-create digital solutions that can address socio-economic problems in Edo State; with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The program is aimed at helping startups who do not have access to capital and other resources they need to grow and scale, by offering crucial provisions like Training, Mentorship, Funding, and Go-To-Market support that ensure long-term success for ventures in Edo State. The program would be offering sub-grant support to 50 startups through two programs:
- The Innovation Challenge Programme (20 Startups/20k USD Each): This is open to Edo-indigene-led tech startups, headquartered in Edo State, with a working product, technical expertise, women-led/gender-diverse, and technology that can help solve problems in various sectors of Edo state.
- The Inclusion-Focused Support Programme (30 Startups/10k USD Each): Is also open to tech startups and companies led by talent from Edo state, and headquartered in Edo. Eligible ventures are to have a functioning prototype past the idea stage and tested for market validation, a diverse team, including people with marketing, business development skills, and other relevant areas besides technical expertise, and solutions that actively address challenges faced by marginalized communities in Edo State. Women-led or gender-diverse teams prioritizing marginalized communities and sustainable development goals are encouraged to apply.
Of the 50 startups selected, a number will have the opportunity to further pitch and demo their products to investors during the upcoming Edo Innovates Tech Conference scheduled to happen March 20th-23rd, 2023. The conference is set to be the largest gathering of tech enthusiasts in the southern region of Nigeria, showcasing the groundbreaking efforts and innovations taking place in the region. The event will also host special guests and speakers such as Godwin Obaseki, Executive Governor of Edo State; Bosun Tijani, Hon. Minister for Communications and Digital Economy; Mr. Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure; Emmanuel Asika, HP Country Director; Yanmo Omorogbe of Invest Bamboo; Olubumi Okunowo of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Eyitayo Ogumola, Founder, Utiva; Adora Nwodo of NexaScale.
Speaking on the initiative, the Managing Partner, CcHUB, Oluwaseun ADEPOJU said, “It is a great pleasure working with the dynamic, passionate, and collaborative Edo Innovates team. We can’t wait to see all the outcomes of the collaboration through the transformation of the digital”.
On the partnerships, Precious Izoduwa Asemota, the Executive Director of Edo Innovates, said, “We are glad that CcHUB, a pioneering force within Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be implementing partners of the “Strengthening Edo State’s Digital Solutions Ecosystem Project” as this project is a significant part of the state government’s objectives to empower the next generation of tech entrepreneurs”.
The application call commenced on 12 January 2024 and will close on 12 February 2024. Startups around the state are encouraged to apply. https://bit.ly/EDOSTATEDIGITALECOSYSTEM
NB: This initiative is an equity-free grant to support innovators in Edo State and not an investment. This Call for Application has been announced by Co-creation Hub as the implementation partner and is not affiliated with any Federal Government Ministry.
About the Edo State Government
The Edo State Government is the governing body of Edo State, one of Nigeria’s 36 states. It is located in the South-South geopolitical zone of the country, with Benin City as its capital.
About Edo Innovates
Edo Innovates is a subsidiary of the Edo State government that has equipped 42,000 individuals with essential tech skills through comprehensive training programs. These programs cover a range of critical areas, including Cloud Computing, Software Development, Data Science, and Web Development. With partnerships that include notable organizations such as the World Bank, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and Microsoft Student Partners, the organization has set its sights on equipping 120,000 individuals with tech skills by 2028.
About CcHUB
CcHUB is a leading innovation centre in Africa that provides a range of services to support and promote the growth of technology startups. Headquartered in Nigeria, CcHUB offers incubation, acceleration, and investment opportunities to startups in various sectors, including fintech, healthcare, education, and energy.
About Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and allowing them to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/
