By Dipo Olowookere
Three winners have emerged in the inaugural edition of the Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge, an initiative of the Management Students Association of the University of Lagos supported by the chief executive of Moniepoint Incorporated, Mr Tosin Eniolorunda.
The scheme was put together to build a supportive environment for innovation and create new pathways for a future where prosperity is inclusive, opportunities abound, and where the entrepreneurial spirit thrives.
Business Post reports that the three selected university-based young Nigerian entrepreneurs were rewarded by the sponsor of the programme.
The winners were Craft by Leemart owned by Ms Halimat Ajoke Ariyo, who went away with N1 million; SafeMom, promoted by Michael Kolade Sunmoni and Saanumi Oluwaseun Joshua; and UNISHOP, established by the duo of Bukunmi Ransome-Kuti and Israel Olasupo.
These winners were chosen after preliminary rounds by an expert panel of judges drawn from the business and technology ecosystem including industry leaders such as Gabriel Balogun, Head of Learning and Development, Moniepoint Inc, Katherine Adesomoju, CEO, Spectrum Holdings, Samuel Olatunde, CEO/Founder, Edala Homes, and Adeola Sanusi, CEO/Founder, XL Homes.
The evaluation was based on key metrics including market potential, understanding of financial management, growth plans, and business value/competitiveness of the proposed solution and the quality of the presentation and delivery.
Craft by Leemart is a fashion leather brand creating high-quality, customized products – footwear, customized bracelets, wallets, belts, journals and other products with quality leather with a focus on customer satisfaction and personalized experiences.
As for SafeMom, it is a healthtech startup addressing maternal mortality by connecting expectant mothers with healthcare resources through an innovative digital platform.
UNISHOP is a retail-as-a-service platform empowering student entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses within the campus ecosystem. It offers basic listings and premium shop pages to drive visibility and marketing for student businesses to thrive in the campus marketplace.
Mr Eniolorunda, while speaking at the 4th Annual Students Entrepreneurship Program, a one-day session, where the winners of the initiative were announced, said the scheme resonated strongly with him, considering his early beginnings as an undergraduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) where he was solving problems for his peers on campus.
“This initiative aligns with our vision of powering dreams and being critical enablers for the growth of the SMES across Nigeria,” he said at the event themed Bridging the Gap From Micro to Macro: Empowering SMEs to Drive Sustainable National Growth.”
“This Innovation Challenge is a solid platform to help more dreamers move their innovative ideas into becoming tangible ventures that can increase their contribution to the broader economy,” Mr Eniolorunda, who was represented by the Head of Partnerships at Moniepoint, Efemena Ogie, added.
The chief executive of Craft by Leemart, who could not hide her joy, said, “I’d like to thank Moniepoint and Mr Eniolorunda for this opportunity and the cash incentive. I am energized to take my business to the next level and the world would know my name.”
Adedapo Adesanya