Ventures Platform Foundation, the social impact arm of Ventures Platform Hub, has announced a call for applications from Nigerian startups for Startup North East, an incubation programme for early-stage companies building innovative tech solutions for communities hit by the crisis in North-East Nigeria.
Launched with the support of the U.S. Embassy, the new program is set to offer funding, mentoring, and support for startups pioneering robust tech solutions that solve the current inefficiencies around aid distribution and data management in relief efforts across the region.
With the entire programme conducted virtually, six successful startups will receive exclusive support for four months as they build, deploy and drive strong traction for solutions that mitigate the operational risks faced by development agencies in North-East Nigeria.
Since 2009, according to estimates from the UN, more than two million people have been displaced from their homes due to conflict in the region and more than seven million depend entirely on humanitarian aid to survive.
Why you should apply
- Grant: Business equity-free funding up to $3,000 each for 6 startups
2. Business Advisory: Get access to a pool of mentors and business experts
3. Partnerships: Access to network of partners
Key areas of interest for your solution
- Poor Data Management
- Insecurity
- Poor coordination and lack of good communication
- Misappropriation of relief materials and funds
- Unqualified personnel
- Poor data collection
- Lack of insight
- Extortion
- Mishandling of equipment
Eligibility
In order to qualify for this funding, The following criteria have to be met:
- You must be operating in Nigeria
- The startup is in idea-stage or early-stage
- Can demonstrate the potential for future scale
- The solution must be solving problem around the key area of interest
- Startups should have a well-rounded, complementary team i.e. in-house capacity for product vision (what to build), technology (how to build it), and business (how to make money from it)
- Founders should have some unique insight or compelling worldview deep domain expertise and/or a strong grasp of the landscape an eye for detail tenacity, high conscientiousness, and a bias towards execution
- Solution should leverage technology
Apply now. Applications close 2nd December, 2020
