It was indeed refreshing to have seen thousands of young people from various parts of the South- East and South-South arrive the city of Enugu for the 2017 edition of GenesysIgnite, an annual event put together by Genesys Tech Hub, in collaboration with CFAtech.ng.
As of today, this is the most significant convergence of start-ups, geeks, investors, policy makers and tertiary students in both regions.
What happened in Enugu on the 15th of December 2017 will always be remembered in the history of the region’s imminent technology revolution.
As indicated in speeches by invited guests such as one time Senate President, Ken Nnamani; Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu; Director of Public Affairs, Nigeria Communications Commission, Tony Ojobo; Founder of Ventures Platform, Kola Aina; CEO of Infosoft Limited, Pius Okigbo and a host of others, it is now clear that Enugu has all it takes to lead the technological revolution in the Southeast.
However, it also requires the government of the day to work strategically to support what innovators and developers are trying to do, thereby making it an attractive start-up destination.
A key takeaway from the event is that Enugu city can serve as the start-ups’ melting point of the region because it has the highest concentration of tertiary institutions in close proximity, an international airport plus the fact that it already plays host to Genesys tech hub, an innovation centre that is of world-class standard, housing all facilities required to beef up the creativity levels of innovators, developers, tech enthusiasts, coders and problem solvers.
Who would have imagined 147 pitch submissions from start-ups in the region, despite the short period allotted for entries?
My argument has always been and remains that we should channel the energies of the young especially those outside the key cities into more productive ventures.
I had the unique opportunity of being a member of the panel of judges that eventually decided on the three start-ups to be awarded the price of $10,000 and I must say that some of the start-ups I encountered could actually scale if given the right support, not just cash.
The Managing Director of Genesys Tech Hub, Nnamdi Anika, a highly passionate man, did promise that cash won’t just be thrown at the winners. Rather, they will be made to pass through a rigorous programme that to assist them in getting their ideas better ready for the market.
Therefore, it is my firm belief that what happened in the city of Enugu a few weeks ago is a solid foundation to build upon and it means that interested stakeholders must speak with one voice that will first and — Finish Reading on the Punch
