An Anambra based Startup Foris Labs has won a whooping sum of 15 million Naira for the second place prize at the just concluded Zenith Bank tech fair held in Lagos, ANAMBRA PEOPLE reports.
Foris Labs pitched an app-based platform that allows students to conduct science experiments from anywhere at anytime via their mobile phones or laptops.
According to Zenith Bank, the fair was aimed to identify, spotlight, connect, reward and provide mentorship support to scalable Nigerian startups whose business solutions have the potential to reshape the Future of Business in Africa. It is a platform for Zenith Bank to support the best startups that are using technology and innovative ideas to help solve the problems of the present to build a better future in the following areas: Wholesale and retail, eCommerce, Payments, Lending, Wellness, Cyber Security, EdTech, Electricity (power vending) and Agritech.
Out of over 500 applications, 11 finalists were shortlisted and received training from Seedstars to compete for the top prizes at the Zenith Bank Tech Fair held at Eko Hotels and Suites Lagos from the 22nd to 23rd of November 2022.
The event featured a goodwill message by Jim Ovia, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank.
Some of the speakers include Ebenezer Onyeagwu, Group Managing Director Zenith Bank Plc,Dr Adaora Umeoji,Tarik Alatovic,(McKinsey) Juliet Ehimuan(Google),Ola Williams (Microsoft), Andrew Uaboi,(Visa West Africa),Rakiya Mohammed (CBN), Chris Lu(Huawei) amongst others.
Babajide Oluwase of Ecotutu won first place to win The grand prize of 20 million naira plus an opportunity to pitch investors and gain access into the Seedstars Mentorship Hub. John Onuigbo of Foris Labs won second place to win 15 million naira in prize money and a scholarship into the Seedstars mentorship hub. Tomi Kolawale of Finva won third place and went away with 10 million naira plus a scholarship into the Seedstars mentorship hub.
The remaining 8 finalists; TynuEv, GreenBii, Base, Sonocare, Zion robotics, IgrowAfrika, Eduvacity and Sanwo received a 1 million Naira cash prize each.
The CEO of Foris Labs, who is also a STEM advocate and founder of STEMNOVO,John Onuigbo while thanking the organisers of the event said “We are very grateful to Zenith bank and Seedstars for this great opportunity to receive funding and mentorship. We feel more empowered to take over the world and make a real impact on the edtech space. What we are building is a global brand and with Zenith bank, we are getting to the Zenith”.
Foris labs was started in the middle of a pandemic to help science students cope with online learning. The company has since then grown to win global awards including the Stanford Centre for Longevity Design Challenge 2021 and Global Edtech Startup Awards Nigeria 2021 amongst others. Currently being piloted in schools across four states, the product would be released to the public soon.
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