Pitch2win, a pitch competition powered by TechCircle in partnership with FreakOut Holdings, has announced the 10 startups that will present their innovative and entrepreneurship ideas at a pitch event at Impact Hub on Wednesday, June 12, 2019.
The startups stand a chance of winning N1 million equity free. In addition to walking away with a ₦1 million equity-free grand prize, all participating startup will be strategically positioned to meet local and international investors as well as tap into numerous opportunities from the TechCircle network.
Applications for Pitch2Win opened in May 2019 to startups in the following verticals including agribusiness, business services, clean technology and energy, utilities, construction and manufacturing, manufacturing, creative, media and entertainment, education, financial services, healthcare, ICT, leisure and travel, retail and wholesale, consumer non-durables, transport and logistics, water, sanitation and hygiene, cars, household appliances, luxury goods and jewelry.
June 12th. Public Holiday. Great Founders. Terrific Ideas. Investors. Beer (normal). Small Chops.
There will no better place for tech startup heads to be than #TECHCIRCLE #PITCH2WIN
40 tickets available will go before you can finish refreshing Instablog9ja. pic.twitter.com/kA3qADQoW4
— Oo Nwoye (@OoTheNigerian) June 7, 2019
With over 200 entries received from across Nigeria, the judges that will select the winner on Wednesday include: Dr Ola Brown (FlyingDoctors and Greentree Capital Investments), Dr Femi Kuti (Reliance HMO), Yuzuru Honda (Freakout Holdings), Babara Iyayi, (Lateral Capital/Element Inc.) and Hiro Mashita (M&S Partners).
In his remark, Oo Nwoye, the Founder of TechCircle, noted that the calibre of applicants was extremely high and the judging team were presented with a tough choice in selecting the very best startups.
“Narrowing the final list down to the final 10 was a difficult process, and much-spirited debate was had by the judging panel. However, what ticked the boxes for our judges was the problem, market size, product execution and traction. I would like to wish the finalists all the best for the Pitch2Win competition.”
In the last edition of the competition, 12 startups were selected to pitch before foreign and local investors. Kangpe (now RelianceHMO), a healthtech startup founded by Femi Kuti emerged winner, before proceeding to win Seedstars World Competition, and securing investment from Y Combinator.
The 10 Pitch2Win finalists are:
Asusu
This SaaS company, founded by Yusuf Zakari, in 2017 is on a mission to build infrastructure for informal microfinance organisations by digitising the financial activities of low income and daily earners through cooperatives, trade groups, agent networks, and partnerships.
Gricd Frij
An IoT startup that provides an affordable and portable cold chain device for efficient storage of vaccines, blood and other health/agricultural products. Oghenetega Iortim launched Gricd Frij in 2017.
LendSqr
A convenient cloud platform for individual and small lenders to provide credit at zero upfront cost and reduced loan loss. The fintech solution has been the brainchild of Adedeji Olowe from 2018.
Plumter
Created by Simi Adejumo in 2018, Plumter is an AI-powered solution that helps one schedule, coordinate and keep records of their meetings and tasks in a beautiful, everlasting calendar.
CashBudy
CashBudy enables Nigerians to receive and send money using mobile airtime, withdraw cash, buy mobile data and pay bills with or without the internet. CashBudy was founded by Herbert Obude in 2018.
Curacel
An AI-powered fraud detection engine that puts a tap on that leak by automating claims processing and putting claims through an intelligent. Curacel was founded in 2017 by Henry Mascot.
Prodigy
A school management software founded in 2013 that enables schools owners to manage their school effectively and efficiently. The founder of Prodigy is Adeleye Olufemi.
Truckrtech
An online marketplace, enabling listing and booking of third-party trucks. Truckr gives real-time visibility, cargo-in-transit insurance and proper communication channels to shippers and drivers and was birthed in 2018 by Caryl Joshua Akonor.
Driversng
Providing on-demand drivers recruitment digitally since 2016. Founded by Daniel Audu.
Aidahbot
An AI solution that helps businesses automate their customer interaction. Aidahbot was founded in 2018 by Nancy Ewurum.
