“The beauty of a thing is not just in the beginning but in the ending.’’
1776 started Challenge Cup four years ago to discover the most promising, highly scalable startups poised to solve complex challenges across borders, regulated industries and emerging technologies.
We know that startups are solving some of our world’s most complex challenges and so, 1776 and Revolutionpartnered to bring the Challenge cup to Lagos once again.
It was a cold and rainy day, but that didn’t hinder the influx of creative startups anxious to pitch their business ideas to our seasoned Judges.
Thanks to Taxify for the rides, participants and guests were transported to the venue free of charge.
The event, with over 50 people in attendance, officially opened with registrations, as participants and sponsors made their way into the LeadSpace Ojodu facility.
THE EVENT
With the opening speech delivered by C.E.O, Olufunbi Falayi and a minute silence observed in honor of the sudden passing of Samson Abioye, CEO, Pass.ng. The 1776 Challenge Cup Lagos was up and running.
We couldn’t have asked for a better anchor, Miss Damilola Thompson of Echo VC made the event a seamless feat. There was an interesting Fireside chat with the cofounder, Printivo, Mr Oluyomi Ojo.
THE PITCH
The startups took turns to pitch their businesses before the judges
Our Judges;
Olusola Amusan of Microsoft,
Bunmi Otegbade of Zest
Uche Okafor of Taxify
Uche Ogboi of EchoVC partners
Oluyomi Ojo of Printivo.
- Among the start-ups present were:
Cosmetibles Nigeria
Artshopng
Deliverybrosng
Ecofutureng
Freshmarte.biz
Davtonlearn
Suvenia.com
Voucherpay
Payconnect
Hubrif
Finance life technologies ltd
Legitcar
Flood early warning system.
Participants were duly rewarded as the sponsors came in with goody bags for everyone. Instant pickup gave a whooping 6000 off the cost of laundry for anyone who downloaded the app at the venue.
Pal Pension was not left out as they gave lots of freebies to all participants.
THE WINNERS
Just before the winners were announced, Bunmi Otegbade of Zest, gave words of advice to the participants concerning key things to note when next they are delivering a 2-minute or less pitch to potential investors, some of which were personal etiquette, stating important details within the given time; market value, sustainability, revenue source etc
In third place, DeliveryBros App: DeliveryBros is a mobile app that helps individuals and SMEs in Africa move packages by matching them to the nearest trained carriers.
In second place, Davtonlearn: DavtonLearn is empowering online learning for professionals, higher education, and corporate institutions in Nigeria and Africa
And like every race or battle, there can only be one winner.
The winner of the 1776 Challenge Cup Lagos was
Finance Life Technologies Limited: The Riby Finance Platform manages Collaborative and Community-based access to finance, peer-to-peer lending and saving group.
We wish them a successful trip as they proceed to the grand finale in New York come November 13th, 2017.
