20 Nigerian entrepreneurs selected for She Leads Africa 2017 Accelerator

She Leads Africa has announced twenty early stage businesses accepted into the 2017 SLA Accelerator. This year, the program will be held in Lagos, Abuja and Kaduna, Nigeria.

She Leads Africa has partnered with the Work in Progress! Alliance (including VC4Africa and Oxfam), OCP, Guaranty Trust Bank, Cointreau and Intel Corp to create a 3-month accelerator program designed to identify, support and fund the next generation of Nigeria’s brightest entrepreneurs.

This year we received applications from over 200 startups from across Nigeria. The selected entrepreneurs were evaluated based on their traction in the market, management team and vision to grow and scale across Africa.

In the Intel Technology Cohort (to be hosted at Cafe Neo Lagos) the selected businesses are:

  • Eventplanner.ng
    Eventplanner.ng
    – Online platform that connects event related vendors such as photographers, makeup artists, caterers, MCs and DJs to users in need of their services
  • Dexterity Logics Ltd
    Dexterity Logics
    – Software development agency that provides online solutions to businesses and an e-learning platform to software developers
  • UrbanErrands
    UrbanErrands
    – Lifestyle management outfit designed to sell Time to busy persons and Job opportunities to the unemployed. They connect busy people to thoroughly vetted, insured and independent persons who are willing to work to run errands
  • KJK Communication Limited
    KJK Communication Limited
    – Online communications company helping SMEs use the right digital & ICT strategies to drive their products/services and improve work processes using web and mobile solutions
  • Greymate Care
    Greymate Care
    – Online platform that connects the elderly and vulnerable adults to a highly trained and insured caregiver thus, taking the stress of care off busy professionals

In the Cointreau Creatives Cohort (to be hosted at SeedSpace Lagos) the selected businesses are:

  • Taeillo
    Taeillo
    – Designs and creates premium urban African furniture
  • Netima Happy Feet
    Netima Happy Feet
    – Creating stylish and flexible casual flat footwear
  • MMG Creations World
    MMG Creations World
    – Handcrafting quality jewelry that maintains the essence of both traditional and modern designs
  • Red Button
    Red Button
    – Nigerian Fashion Label set to redefine corporate wear fashion for the African Woman, with the use of African prints and materials to make stylish, unique corporate wear
  • Auditions.Ng
    Auditions.Ng
    – Job listing site for the creative and entertainment industry

In the GTB Retail & E-Commerce Cohort (to be hosted at
AIIVON Hub Abuja) the selected businesses are:

  • Food-i-Like
    Food-i-Like
    – Food ordering and delivery company
  • Mahauty Health Solutions
    Mahauty Health Solutions
    – Produces healthy baby foods devoid of artificial additives
  • Perception Consult Ltd
    Perception Consult Ltd
    – Produces furniture for individual clients and organizations using durable yet affordable materials and offers interior design and accessorizing services
  • Smile-On Limited
    Smile-On
    – Providing a variety of healthy baby foods
  • CEA Consultancy And Translation Services
    CEA Consultancy And Translation Services
    – Partners with international organizations and businesses to build business communities across borders and ensure mutual understanding, increased productivity and growth

In the OCP Agribusiness Cohort (to be hosted at
CoLab Kaduna) the selected businesses are:

  • Dahrah Global Limited
    Dahrah Global Limited
    – Agricultural company that farms and trades commodities
  • Meenam Blends
    Meenam Blends
    – Organic spices production business focused on the production, processing and packaging of healthy spices, garlic, ginger and onion
  • Farm For Gold Venture
    Farm For Gold Venture
    – Business involved in the farming and processing of ginger
  • Apples & Berries Fruits Paradise
    Apples & Berries Fruits Paradise
    – Fresh juice & salad bar that prepares and sells naturally healthy and fresh smoothies, fruit/vegetable salads and juices
  • Showplace Nigeria Limited
    Showplace Nigeria Limited
    – Locally produced and packaged quality instant ginger root drink

Accelerator participants will spend the next three months working on their business strategy and growth, while networking with investors and potential partners.

The entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their businesses at an investor Demo Day in November and compete for N2 million investment from She Leads Africa along with other business support services.

About the 2017 SLA Accelerator Programme sponsors

SLA Accelerator is in partnership with the Work in Progress! Alliance, OCP, Guaranty Trust Bank, Cointreau and Intel.

The Work in Progress! Alliance

The Work in Progress! Alliance is focused on unlocking the economic potential of young women and men in Egypt, Nigeria and Somalia. The project aims to enable them to generate sustainable and living incomes – by finding regular employment or starting enterprises. Alliance partners include Oxfam, VC4Africa, IOM and Butterfly Works.

OCP

As the exclusive caretaker of the world’s largest phosphate resources, OCP has always had a deeply rooted commitment to protecting global food security, through our role in sustainably increasing agricultural productivity. This core value is embodied in our entire OCP team, inspiring our vision and empowering our team to work, innovate and deliver a shared benefit for the world’s population.

Guaranty Trust Bank

Guaranty Trust Bank is recognized as one of the most profitable and well-managed financial institutions in Africa for providing quality service, ethics, professionalism, integrity, innovation and internationally accepted corporate governance standards.

Cointreau

Cointreau is an internationally recognized and consumed brand of triple sec alcohol that has been established for over 160 years. Behind the name of Cointreau lies far more than a simple liqueur…Cointreau is a family, a history, a specific expertise, a unique relationship with nature, and the meticulous work of Master Distillers.

Intel

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) expands the boundaries of technology to make the most amazing experiences possible. We also lead in environmental sustainability, supply chain responsibility, diversity and inclusion, and social impact. Through the Intel® She Will Connect program, Intel works to empower girls and women through technology, connecting them to opportunities and inspiring them to become future innovators. Information about Intel can be found at newsroom.intel.com and intel.com.

She Leads Africa

She Leads Africa has many programs aimed at supporting smart and ambitious young African women. Those interested in learning more about these opportunities can join at SheLeadsAfrica.org/join