Why I Am Alive Initiative hosts innovators empowerment and awards, 4 Nigerian startups funded, Hanu Fejiro Agbodje receives award

The event which took place on Sunday, November 28, 2021, was held at the luxurious EbonyLife Place in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The four startups involved had to participate in a highly-competitive pitch, presenting innovative solutions to everyday problems faced by businesses as well as the everyday Nigerian and African at large.

These innovations were judged by a solid panel of judges made up of business and tech leaders in the persons of CEO at Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation Osayi Alile who served as Chief Judge, Regional Director at Founder Institute Africa, Fred Agbata and Director, Founder of The TGI Club & Twelve App; Tomie Balogun and Director of Programs & Grants at Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, Ndifreke Okwuegbunam.

The innovations were judged based on their authenticity, impact, problem-solving value, scale, presentation, and other factors.

SPARKNUIT a customized reading lamp and power bank for students was crowned winner of the pitch competition. According to the creator Ephraim Ukwuche, SPARKNUIT’s mission is to help provide an affordable, safe and sustainable alternative to electricity for students from families in rural communities, and to enable students in low-income areas to conquer the difficulty of studying at night.

JB DESIGNS - a functional fashion company that deals with the production and supply of eco-friendly fabric-based fashion items and accessories - owned by Oluwadarasimi Ajayi, a fourth-year law student at OAU emerged first runner-up.

The second runner-up, MYTECHNEEDS presented by Stephen Nnamdi provides technical support services for laptop repair both remotely and on-site. ADERAH, a fashion-tech startup leveraging tech to foster possibilities in the fashion ecosystem, run by co-founder Obinna Echendu came third runner-up.

The winner, alongside the 1st runner-up, second runner-up, and third runner-up, received cash prizes of N500K, N200K, N100K, and N75K respectively, with an opportunity to pitch their innovations to investors for up to N10 Million in funding. 

Speaking on the reason why this year’s edition is focused on innovation, WIAAI convener Caroline Moore noted that “innovation is the tool for emancipation, especially in today’s world.” 

“Why I Am Alive was created to help every individual realize that they are alive for a purpose, to empower the minds of young Nigerians to believe in themselves and to know who they ar,” she further added. 

Founder & CEO of Patricia Technologies ltd, Hanu Fejiro Agbodje also featured at the event as the special guest storyteller. The fintech and crypto business leader opened up about the birth and development of his company which was recently valued to be worth an estimated over $500Million.

He shared how the CBN Crypto ban challenged and inspired his team to innovate and take the company global as opposed to serving just the local market. The 26-year old leader was also presented with an excellence award for being a groundbreaking innovator and inspiring young Nigerians to excel. 

Chairman of the Why I Am Alive Initiative advisory board, who also doubles as Managing partner at renowned professional services firm SIAO, and senior pastor at Trinity House Church, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo during the keynote speech noted that economic prosperity and innovation can be attained if there is a focus on "three clear dots joined by three lines which are entrepreneurship, knowledge, and commitment."

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