Biggest tech conference in South-South & South-East, #StartupSouth season 5, is coming live in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2. 2019.
Since founded in 2015, The conference has achieved huge success featuring founders, innovators and investors from across the country, yearly to discuss technology, start-up trends and challenges facing the growth of start-ups in the south region. This year will in no way be different as the conference would be graced by notable tech leaders and entrepreneurs, from Nigeria and beyond.
Social media giant, Facebook, West Africa’s largest cable data provider, MainOne, financial technology providers, Paga and Riby are among the top tech companies backing this year’s event. Others are, Hotel booking portal, Hotels.NG, HealthTech companies, WellaHealth.
Over 60 Companies including LifeBank and TechCabal will be holding sessions at the conference.
Techcabal reported that, well over 5000 participants and 100 speakers are expected at the conference this year.
Major highlights of the event will be the participation of at least four state governors from the region; the governors are expected to hold live joint sessions. Furthermore, pitch sessions will be available– pitches have in the past seen winners raise over $400,000 in investment capital over the past four years.
This year’s #startupsouth edition themed: “Unlocking the next 60 million” will feature
keynotes, special public sector panels, masterclasses and business bootcamp.
Key focus will be on exploring the accessibility and exploration of broadband for the over 60 million residents in the region to boost its economy which is estimated at over $70 billion.
This is aimed to diversify the region’s economy from solely depending on oil to leveraging technology.
According to one of the main partners, Chief Executive Officer of MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke explained that “MainOne’s support for the start-up business community in the South-South/South-East of Nigeria is predicated on its belief that startups and tech will be the engine for the economic development of Nigeria.”
“Over the years, #StartupSouth conference has displayed an unwavering commitment to this conference specifically designed to help grow and sustain SMEs in the South-South/South-East of Nigeria.
“As MainOne expands the reach of its services beyond our landing point in Lagos, we recognize the potential of new ecosystems such as #StartupSouth in growing the Nigerian economy and creating jobs and are eager to lend support. Our focus is on deploying the infrastructure services that enable startup companies to thrive and this is the reason for our partnership with the #StartupSouth,” Opeke said.
#StartupSouth founder Uche Aniche speaking about the conference said:
“Over the past five years, we have worked hard to make the #StartupSouth Conference a driver of conversation that will boost economic growth in the region leveraging technology. This edition promises to see lots of improvements with participation from more diverse stakeholders. We are ready to receive guests from across Nigeria..”
Other partnerships include Riby, a financial tech provider, “we aim to extend our services to co-operatives, potential partners and stakeholders in the South-South zone of Nigeria.” said Riby.
