Helsinki, Finland (November 26, 2024) – The world’s largest gathering of venture capitalists, startup founders, and ecosystem leaders took place at SLUSH 2024, drawing over 5,500 global participants and representing a combined $3 trillion in assets under management. Among the standout attendees were four exceptional Nigerian entrepreneurs, who, through the GIZ/Digital Transformation Center Nigeria (DTC Nigeria)’s TechMyBiz Accelerator Program, harnessed the unparalleled opportunity SLUSH provides to scale their innovations and form critical global connections.
Empowering Startups Through the TechMyBiz Accelerator Program
The TechMyBiz Accelerator, co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with Crestsage Limited. This program focuses on empowering early-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and networks needed to scale their impactful solutions.
At SLUSH 2024, the program was represented by:
- Abiola Jimoh (XCHANGEBOX)
- Christiana Okere (myStashhq)
- Emeka Ehinze (Retailloop Technologies)
- Gift Muoneke (Greenera Technologies LTD)
These innovators demonstrated the immense potential of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem while forging international partnerships that are set to propel their businesses onto the global stage.
Building Bridges: Highlights from SLUSH
The event offered these entrepreneurs a platform to network, secure investment opportunities, and form strategic alliances:
- Abiola Jimoh (XCHANGEBOX): Secured a partnership with Business Helsinki, positioning XCHANGEBOX to expand operations into the European market.
- Christiana Okere (myStashhq): Attracted the attention of an investor focused on African, women-led startups and identified new customer opportunities to accelerate growth.
- Emeka Ehinze (Retailloop Technologies): Established critical connections with organizations such as Paddle (Finland), Growcify (India), Hemp Store (India), Mikko Armila (Business Helsinki), and Startup Malta.
- Gift Muoneke (Greenera Technologies LTD): Found battery manufacturers crucial for scaling his clean energy microgrid solutions and secured interest from key investors.
Fostering Cross-Continental Collaboration
The achievements of these startups at SLUSH underscore the power of intercontinental collaboration. Beyond investment opportunities, the event allowed for meaningful exchanges between the Nordic and African ecosystems.
“SLUSH is a great opportunity to expose Nigerian founders and startups to the European ecosystem,” shared Christiana Okere (myStashhq). “It fosters intercontinental collaborations and partnerships that are essential for growth.”
Investing in Nigeria’s Digital Future
The success of TechMyBiz at SLUSH is a testament to the program’s impact in strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. GIZ/DTC Nigeria is committed to supporting entrepreneurs who drive the digital transformation of Nigeria and position the country as a hub for innovation.
Are you ready to be part of this movement? Visit dtcnigeria.ng to learn more about our programs and initiatives supporting the next generation of innovators.
