IGHUB BIZBOOST DEMO DAY; The Details
The IGHUBBIZBOOST PROGRAM is the Startup Incubation program of Innovation Growth Hub, Aba and over a period of 12 weeks, they have worked with 6 startups in key business knowledge areas from Business modeling, Financial Modeling, Law for Startups, to Investing in Startups to prepare them for next steps into either accelerators or seed investment as they grow.
On Friday, 22nd March 2019, the Startup Incubation program culminated in a Demo Day where the incubated startups pitched their ideas to an audience of stakeholders from the corporate, potential investors, industry leaders, government heads and the world.
The event kicked off by 3pm at the hub with introductory remarks made by Daniel Chinagozi, CEO Innovation growth hub, Aba. It was graced by a lot of personalities such as the Executive governor of Abia state ably represented by the Honourable Commissioner of Youth development, Abia state, Hon. Dannie Ubani, Chibuzor Ekekwuo of A&E law partnerships; Jackie Dai Hui and Liu Bing You from FABCOM Ltd, Mr Johnson Abah, Board Chairman Innovation Growth Hubs Nigeria and a host of other dignitaries.
With videos of the Made in Aba project and Enyimba economic city, the CEO highlighted the need for the SME ecosystem to be grown and boosted with technology. The audience were also shown a glimpse of the 12 weeks Incubation through videos where startups shared their experience and progress.
However, the excitement among the audience was tripled when the various startups came to pitch
First was Clintonnel Innovation Centre, Abia‘s first ever maker’s space in the building of moulds and hardware for producers of shoes, plastics, 3-D printing and other products. The Founder, Mr Clinton Tochukwu Chukwueke displayed some of his products and pitched to the Investors in the audience.
Igmart’s Co founder, Jethro Theo Paul came up next and wowed the audience with his e-commerce solution to enable businesses open up and manage online stores within 10 minutes and at reduced rates.
Inaaga’s Chiamaka Osumgba came up next with the ride -hailing transportation solution with amazing user and driver experience designed first for the South East of Nigeria
Ogwugo’s Chima Abafor presented his amazing e-commerce solution to help small businesses connect to the international market in various categories.
Salesbay Founder, Josh Onwughalu thrilled the audience more by reeling out the salesbay story and solution of connecting the Enyimba manufacturers to the world using their trusted escrow service system.
What‘s a demo day without investors?
We had Mr Jackie Dai Hui ,Deputy managing Director Fabcom come up to express his excitement and willingness to invest in some of the startups. The representative of the Abia state governor, Hon. Dannie Ubani was amazed and also took to the stage applauding the efforts of the startups and pledging the support of the Abia State government.
The demo day event lasted till evening and the investors were treated to a sumptuous dinner where the rest of the business took place. The attendees helped themselves to a buffet of a lot of amazing dishes.
The event came to a close with prayers and other entertaining dance sessions by the attendees.
We are grateful to all our partners, sponsors and attendees to their contributions to making the event a success, especially Ford Foundation, Tricom digital, Made in Aba Hackathon, Abia State Government, FABCOM Limited.
Other photos and details of the event are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #IGHUBDEMODAY2019
Also, details of the IGHUBBizBoost are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #IGHUBBIZBOOST
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