Five Nigerian women entrepreneurs win $50,000 tech funding

By Suzan Sunday

Five Nigerian women entrepreneurs have received a major boost for their businesses after emerging as beneficiaries of the Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator programme, securing a combined $50,000 in funding.

The entrepreneurs emerged from the programme’s seventh cohort, which featured 11 women-led businesses developing technology-enabled solutions across various sectors.

Each of the five winners will receive $10,000 to support business expansion, strengthen operations and accelerate the development of their products and services.

The programme was implemented in partnership with Village Capital and the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University.

The five beneficiaries are Mariam Grey Pharmacy, founded by Jennifer Esiaba; Ahavaplan, founded by Christine Imoukhuede; Adaptive Atelier, founded by Toyosi Badejo-Okusanya; Proc360, founded by Fara Popoola; and Kidsthatcode, founded by Adejoke Haastrup.

The businesses are using technology to address challenges across healthcare, event management, digital accessibility, trade and education.

Mariam Grey Pharmacy leverages artificial intelligence to improve access to medication, pharmacist consultations and healthcare support through smartphones, basic mobile phones and USSD services.

Ahavaplan uses artificial intelligence to help event planners manage clients, communications and other aspects of their businesses, while Adaptive Atelier develops technology aimed at making digital platforms more accessible to people living with disabilities.

Proc360 focuses on strengthening business-to-business trade by providing services such as supplier verification, quality control and secure payment solutions.

Meanwhile, Kidsthatcode equips children and teenagers with coding and digital skills through classes, mentorship programmes, hackathons and hands-on projects.

The five businesses were selected after their founders presented their business models and growth strategies before a panel of judges during a pitching session.

Speaking on the initiative, Joke Adu, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing at Standard Chartered Nigeria, said women entrepreneurs could play a significant role in economic development when provided with access to funding, skills, mentorship and professional networks.

She said the support could help women-led businesses expand their operations, create employment opportunities and develop solutions to pressing social and economic challenges.

The Director of the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr Nneka Okekearu, also emphasised the importance of equipping women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks and resources required to build sustainable businesses.