The Telecommunication and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of sustainable technology innovators. The Innovation Makers Challenge (IMC) has officially kicked off its boot camp, providing a platform for young innovators and startup founders to refine their tech-driven business ideas and products.
The journey to the IMC boot camp began with a call for entries, which concluded on October 16th, 2023. After a rigorous selection process, 20 talented applicants have been chosen to participate in the boot camp. The IMC boot camp, running from November 1st to November 3rd, 2023, promises to equip these innovators with the skills and insights necessary to scale their ventures successfully.
The selected participants, including individuals like Fatima Zahra Yusuf, Taiwo Akinsanya, and John Akalagboro, will undergo extensive training and mentorship provided by distinguished industry leaders. This program aims to prepare them for the IMC Conference Grand Finale pre-pitch, scheduled for Friday, November 3rd, 2023. During this pre-pitch event, a panel of expert judges will select the top five finalists who will compete in the Grand Finale of the Innovation Makers Challenge, set to take place on Thursday, November 9th, 2023.
The competition for the top honors will be fierce, with a panel of six judges, featuring prominent figures such as Kate Hancock, Founder of Metaverse XYZ; Oluwole Asalu, CEO of Quomodo Systems Africa; and Yomi Awobokun, Founder of CE-IV. The top three winners will be awarded generous cash prizes of N2,000,000, N1,000,000, and N500,000, respectively.
Bekeme Olowola, the Lead Consultant at TTSWG Secretariat, expressed the significance of the IMC, stating, “Nigeria is rich in talent that needs more support, encouragement, and development to flourish and become major contributors to the nation’s economic growth. The IMC is designed to celebrate and empower young creatives in the technology space who can make a positive difference.”
To encourage more young talents to participate, Olowola invited everyone in the specified age group from across the country to apply at [www.ttswg-imc.com](www.ttswg-imc.com) and follow @ttswg on all social media channels for updates.
The grand culmination of the IMC, the IMC conference, is scheduled for Thursday, November 9th, 2023, at Eko Hotel Victory Island, Lagos. This event will feature an impressive lineup of renowned international speakers, including Kate Hancock, Oluwole Asalu, Lanre Bamisebi, Chuks Ekwueme and many others. Interested participants can register for free at www.ttswg-imc.com/registration](www.ttswg-imc.com/registration.
The Technology and Telecommunications Sustainability Working Group is a diverse and inclusive multi-stakeholder group committed to advancing sustainability within the technology and telecommunications sectors in Nigeria. It comprises over 20 member organizations and partners in both the private and public sectors, such as IHS Towers, MTN Nigeria, Quomodo Systems Africa, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, HP, Nigeria Climate Innovation Center, Phase 3 Telecoms, SystemSpecs Ltd, MainOne Technologies, and more.