7 Nigerian Entrepreneurs Make Top 50 Finalists in the Jack Ma Foundation’s Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative 2020
50 finalists emerged in the 2020 Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) prize competition under the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI) created by the Jack Ma Foundation.
The Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI) identifies and supports African entrepreneurial heroes who are creating an impact in their communities and building a more inclusive economy for the future. The initiative intends to support the African entrepreneur ecosystem by training, and awarding grant-funding to 100 Africa’s Business Heroes across Africa over the next 10 years.
The 2020 top 50 finalists for the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative are from 21 countries. This year, the 50 finalists were selected from a pool of over 22,000 applications received from all 54 African nations.
The shortlisted 50 entrepreneurs will continue with the competition process for a chance to become one of the ten entrepreneurs that will compete in the grand finale of the competition later this year.
The Nigerian entrepreneurs who made the list are:
* Adeyinka Tekenah, Founder of Happy Coffee – Nigeria’s indigenous coffee franchises.
* Chinedu Azodoh Co-founder, Max.ng. Max.ng is a technology company with an app-based platform that coordinates transport/delivery logistics for individuals and businesses.
* Faith Adesemowo, CEO, Social Lender. Social lender is a lending platform committed to building a financial community to drive financial inclusion of the unbanked and underbanked.
* Ifeoluwa Olatayo, Founder, Soupah. Soupah tackles inefficiencies in the food supply chain in Nigeria by connecting small scale rural farmers with urban retailers.
* Kehinde Ayanleye, Co-founder, Stutern. Stutern connects technologically skilled African millennials with job placements.
* Oluwasoga Oni, CEO, MDaaS Global. MDaas is a leading health technology company with the goal of unlocking modern diagnostics for Africa.
* Olajide Ayegbusi, Founder, Edusko. Edusko is an edtech platform and Africa’s largest online platform where families find suitable private schools in Nigeria, Ghana and beyond.
After two rounds of interviews and the semi-finale pitch, the top 20 and top 10 finalists will be announced in August and September 2020.
Read Also: Lagos Announces N10 Billion Public-Private Partnership to Establish an Aquaculture Center
During the grand finale, the top 10 finalists will take the stage to pitch to business legends which includes Jack Ma for a chance to win their share of the $1.5 million prize pool.
We are rooting for the Nigerian finalists.