- Innovation Growth Hub showcases 6 startups that passed through its proprietary incubation program.
- Promises to deepen technology adoption in Aba and the rest of the South East.
Startups many experts believe hold the keys to unlocking the economic potential of Africa’s largest economy. This statement holds true particularly for those parts of the country where commerce and retail come naturally such as the ever bustling commercial city of Aba, Abia State.
It is to this end that Innovation Growth Hub founded in collaboration with TBWA, Ford Foundation and Abia State Government held the first-ever structured startup incubation program and demo day in the city of Aba.
The Bizboost program saw 6 srartups working hard to solve certain societal problems get the right kind of support and training.
The startups are Salesbay founded by Josh Ifunanya Onwughala; Clintonel Innovation Centre founded by Tochukwu Chukwueke; Ogwugo, an ecommerce platform co-founded Chima Abafor; IgMart co-founded by Theo Jethro and Inaaga, a taxi-hailing service co-founded by Chiamaka Osumgba.
The IGHub BizBoost is a 12 week incubation programme designed to educate and empower participating startups in areas such as business modelling, customer service, market segmentation, product development, finance, taxation, funding, legal matters and lots more.
The program equipped participating startups with hands-on approach to some of business related topics as classes were mostly handled by experienced entrepreneurs who had a lot to share.
According to the Founder, Innovation Growth Hub, Daniel Chinagozi, the overall goal of the program is to help young people in the city of Aba succeed. In his words, “the IGHub BizBoost program is set to change the face of commerce in the South Eastern part of the country. This is the reason why we have invested resources with the help of our partners in ensuring that our curriculum is one that will increase the confidence levels of participants and help them build businesses that are truly sustainable.” He concluded.
Speaking further, “Penultimate Friday saw 6 start-ups stand before a mixed audience, comprising of local and foreign investors, policy makers and the academia to share their ideas and solutions. This is indeed a sign of things to come as we are poised to do more.” Daniel added.
These young Nigerians are innovating in hardware, ecommerce, transportation, retail etc. industries. It is clear that if supported and guided properly, these startups are playing in areas that truly need further disruption and efficiency.
A director of Innovation Growth Hub, Johnson Abba, is of the opinion that technology will become a major game changer for businesses in the South Eastern region which is why IGHub has expanded to Onitsha. The Onitsha centre will be commissioned by second quarter of the year.
With the success and quality of this first well-structured demo day ever to be held in the city of Aba, Innovation Growth Hub will find renewed faith to continue working hard, in order to support more start-ups poised to solving some of Africa’s biggest challenges.
