The winner of this year’s Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Awards (DAAYTA) went home with the sum of ₦12 million, (Twelve Million Naira Only).
This year’s edition of the Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Awards, DAAYTA, was held on Friday, April 12, 2019, at the Four Point Business and Leisure Hotel, by Sheraton, Plot 9/10 Block, 2, Oniru Chieftaincy Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The DAAYTA Award is an ARM initiative that aims at providing young and innovative Nigerians, the opportunity to develop Startup Ventures that add qualitative value to the Nation’s economy.
Over the years, supporting budding young talents has become one of the enviable signatures of ARM and the Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Awards (DAAYTA) is one of the many platforms that it express that virtue.
Out of five hundred contestants that applied for the awards, 6 individuals were shortlisted and invited to pitch their business ideas, with the winner receiving a total fund of ₦12 million, (Twelve Million Naira Only), over a period of one, (1), year for the following purpose;
a. Develop their business plan
b. Complete a 5-month Entrepreneurial Education at the Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre, (EDC), in Lagos, Nigeria
c. Receive 5-month support for the development of their venture idea, through incubation by a reputable entrepreneurial hub in Lagos, Nigeria
The judges for the event were notable and distinguished individuals in society. They include Victor Asemota, Africa Partner for Alta Global Ventures, (a US-based Ventures Capital Company); Sadiq Mohammed, Deputy Group CEO, ARM Group; Dr. Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, An Angel investor; Mitchell Elegbe, MD, Interswitch; and Harry Tomi Davies, (TD), Tech Strategy Advisor.
The event was anchored by Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr, “CFA”, Co-Founder, GoDo.ng & Presenter, Tech Trends on Channels TV.
Other notable individuals at the event were, Oreofeoluwa Oshin, Programme Resources, Barbara Ezeife, Head of Marketing Corporate Communication, all of ARM.
After a brief introduction and the rendition of the National Anthem, the finalists were called out, in alphabetical order, to pitch their business ideas.
Adjudged the winner was Murtala Sanni, CEO, WESABI, which is helping households to find reliable and pre-screened artisans in their neighborhood, through a website, mobile App and a USSD platform. Murtala said his goal is to build Africa’s market place for the blue-collar sector.
The first runner up was Dare Odumade, Co-Founder and CEO Chekkit Technologies. Chekkit, is an anti-counterfeiting, asset-tracking and consumer feedback analytics platform and tools, addressing the problem of counterfeiting, pilferage and inefficient supply of products.
It initially started as a 3-man group, but it has grown to 6 members. The company hopes to expand its team to 20 before the year 2019 runs to an end.
The second runner up was Yusuf Shittu, Executive Director, Neo Childcare. Neo Childcare, is a mobile child health service provider, seeking to bridge the gap between top quality and affordable health care for children, especially, in low income and under-served communities in Nigeria.
Daniel Odediran, Co-Founder and Business Lead, Prestpro, came fourth. Prestpro is dedicated to the production of energy cooling system, (using clay), to store freshly plucked tomatoes and prolong their shelf life and also process them, using various technologies.
Oluwayomi Oyatoye, CEO/CTO, MechoMedics, came fifth. MechoMedics aims at addressing the implementation of trade courses and entrepreneurship development in the country, through training students in the art of auto-mechanics in secondary schools.
Murtala Sanni, CEO, WESABI was awarded the winning prize of ₦12 million, (Twelve Million Naira Only), while others received consolation prizes.
