Microsoft honors 25 entrepreneurs

Microsoft has honored the 25 entrepreneurs that graduated from its #Insiders4Good fellowship, a program it launched in partnership Nigeria’s foremost social incubator, CcHub.

The tech giant recognized the entrepreneurs at an event which held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos, where the entrepreneurs pitched their ideas to potential investors, local partners and Microsoft executives.

“At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Delivering on this mission starts with great technology, but great technology alone is not enough.

“Despite global expansion, increased access, and democratisation of technology, too many of technology’s benefits have yet to reach the people who need them due to poverty, lack of education and accessibility.

“Microsoft has challenged itself to address the question of how we can truly bring to life the promise of technology for everyone and part of the answer requires a recognition that empowerment begins with inclusion,” said Shina Oyetoso, Developer Experience Director, Microsoft Nigeria.

The 25 entrepreneurs being honored were selected from a pool of over 5000 applicants in September 2016. As part of the fellowship, the entrepreneurs attended “bootcamp” — a series of group workshops led by Microsoft staff during which they identified needs, set goals, and created road maps for taking their businesses to the next level.

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Each of them also received received a suite of Microsoft hardware and software and six months of tailored technical and strategic mentorship from local and international leaders.

“Last year, we were excited to launch the first #Insiders4Good Fellowship in Nigeria, where so many exceptional entrepreneurs are using technology to create positive change in their communities,” said Bambo Sofola, Microsoft Director of Software Engineering.

“By supporting the growth of the Nigerian #Insiders4Good Fellows, we’ve learned valuable insights about the challenges they face in their unique contexts and how Microsoft products can grow and evolve to support them best. Today, we are thrilled to showcase their extraordinary ideas and celebrate their achievements.”

Paula Aliu, who has launched an online platform for mental health services called Cogno-Aid, looked back on her journey as a Fellow.

“My experience with the fellowship program has being greatly rewarding whilst challenging in a positive way,” Aliu said. “Over the course of the past six months plus, I have had the honor of meeting and interacting with a solid group of individuals comprising both Fellows and mentors from Microsoft and Co-Creation Hub. These wonderful people aided in fleshing out and building Cogno-Aid from an idea to what it is today. For this, I am forever grateful for the guidance given to me courtesy of the #Insiders4Good Fellowship,” she said.

Pulse Tech congratulates the graduating fellows and wishes them all the best in their endeavours.