…Tech entrepreneurs to receive up to $100k in equity investment from Eko Innovation Centre
In pursuance of its smart city agenda of making Lagos a 21st-century economy and growing the technology space, the Office of Innovation and Technology, Lagos State is set to host the third edition of Art of Technology Lagos 3.0. curated by Eko Innovation Centre.
The two-day hybrid conference which holds the 3rd and 4th of December 2021 at the Oriental Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos from 9 am to 4 pm daily, will focus on funding and a connected Lagos to spotlight investment readiness, regulations, and policy formulations for tech startups in the tech ecosystem.
Art of Technology (AOT) Lagos is the largest tech conference in Nigeria which brings together key stakeholders from the public and private sector to discuss policies and initiatives that will pave way for the evolution of a smarter, digital, efficient, and competitive Lagos.
The event would also have top government dignitaries from Babatunde Raji Fashola, Hon. Minister of Works & Housing; to Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, Hon. Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria as special guests while the chief host is Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor, Lagos State. Other eminent stakeholders in the private and public sectors will also be gracing the event.
The event will gather experts in the technology space, business, and financial sector. Some of the keynote speakers to dissect the theme and subthemes are Dr. Andrew S. Nevin, Financial Services Leader & Chief Economist (PWC, NG); Olukayode Pitan, MD/CEO, Bank of Industry; Kola Aina, Founder, Ventures Platform; Tomi Davies, Collaborator-In-Chief, TVC Labs; and Aishah N. Ahmad, Deputy Governor, Financial Systems Stability Directorate, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) among other experts who will be speaking during panel sessions.
In a segment of the event titled Collaborate Lagos, 8 startups will pitch their products for a chance to receive up to $100k in equity investment from Eko innovation Centre. Collaborate Lagos is an initiative that seeks to give visibility to the best startups in Lagos. The selected startups will pitch to 8 judges, 50 VCs and a global audience.
“Over the years, we get blown away by the number of startup entries for Collaborate Lagos. This year we had 168 top quality applications and we are lucky to have the best minds to help with the difficult task of selections. The startups pitching this year are Drugstore.ng, ThinkBikes, Healthstack, Eko Carbon Exchange, Retailar, Vinsighte, EonsFleet and SabiTeach. These Creative ideas are designed to address local issues and eye global expansion. Good luck to the selected few,” the organizers disclosed in a statement.
According to the Curator of Art of Technology Lagos 3.0 and Founder of Eko Innovation Centre, Mr. Victor Gbenga Afolabi, the two-day summit was building on the success of last year’s event which recorded a large turnout both physical and virtual, adding that its impact has been a phenomenon.
He recalled that maiden edition which was held in 2019 and recorded over 2,000 participants in attendance, noting that one of the key successes was the launch of the Lagos Innovation Masterplan which has continued to guide the Lagos state government in achieving its SMART City agenda.
Also, the second edition hosted about 8,700 participants and witnessed the launch of Startup Lagos as well as Eko Open-source projects, with key participation from over 30 countries worldwide.
Recall, last year’s event was themed ‘Smart Data, Smarter Lagos,’ and the conversation centred on the fundamental role data plays in connecting the city with its citizens and how data can be collected, collated, analysed, and deployed for governance, commerce, and development. The event had the Vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; the Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Commissioners and other eminent stakeholders in the private and public sector.
Noteworthy, the Governor Sanwo-Olu raised the bar for government participation in Tech with a seed funding of 250million Naira to grow the Lagos Tech community at the maiden edition of AoT Lagos.
This year’s hybrid event will happen through an online VR experience [www.aotlagos.com], however, the physical ‘limited edition’ part will be hosted at Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos and attendance is strictly by invitation.
Register at www.aotlagos.com