The annual Lagos Startup Week (LSW), renowned for bringing together entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small business owners recently kicked-off its second edition. Bringing with it a successful track record in 75 cities worldwide, LSW aims to position Africa, in particular Lagos as a prominent hub in the world of technology, entrepreneurship and innovation.
‘Be inspired’ is this years’ theme and the weeklong event will have participants engaged in pitches, meetups and an array of stimulating activities in which start-ups stand to learn from both local and international entrepreneurs.
Supported by Fastforward Student Innovation Fund , LSW this year has gone a step further to organise a session called “From University Research to Real World Innovation”. Researchers and students of Nigerian Tertiary institutions as such will have a platform to pitch their projects to potential investors.
On a wider scale, not-for-profit foundation, HiiL, in partnership with the Ford Foundation is organising the Innovating Justice Boostcamp, a notable event on the week’s line-up which takes place in Lagos and other African cities. Selected from over 300 candidates Africa-wide, participants will be competing for the Innovating Justice Award in the Hague (Netherlands) and acceleration funding worth over € 160 000.
Recognizing marketing as an integral component to the success of any business, Ringier Digital Marketing in collaboration with the LSW will be delivering a free Digital marketing masterclass.
Olumide Olayinka, an LSW organiser expressed his optimism saying, “this year’s event is community-led, all about building each other up and fostering the growth of a supportive environment to launch new businesses, whilst ensuring viable startups are linked up to willing investors and mentors alike.”
