This year’s competition shone a spotlight on exceptional talent and creativity, particularly highlighting women entrepreneurs who have excelled in leadership roles.

Designed to nurture young entrepreneurs with innovative and sustainable ideas, DAAYTA attracted over 750 applications.

After a thorough evaluation process, seven businesses were chosen from the final top twelve, benefiting from DAAYTA’s preparatory workshops.

Here are the top seven finalists:

• Ecobarter Company: Led by Rita Idehai, clinched the top spot among the seven finalists. Ecobarter is a trailblazing Waste Management and Recycling enterprise, utilizing technology-driven platforms to collect and repurpose several types of waste into valuable resources for industrial and consumer

• Goods and Services 360 Ltd (GAS360): Founded by Jane Ekeh, GAS360 operates at the forefront of Clean Technology and Energy, E-commerce, and Fintech sectors. They are dedicated to revolutionizing access to clean cooking fuels across Africa through innovative

• Smokeless Briquettes Ltd: Founded by Eunice Adewale, demonstrated its commitment to Clean Technology and Energy, with a focus on Renewable Energy solutions. Smokeless Briqs Energy Solutions is an eco-inclusive social enterprise leveraging clean energy technologies and agricultural waste to provide accessible and affordable energy solutions for cooking, charging, and

• 10MG Pharma: Founded by Odianosen Joy Peter, aims to revolutionize chronic pain care and management in

• 0J Technologies Ltd: Founded by Joseph Ojighoro, seeks to advance the African health sector through innovative technology aimed at enhancing medical practice and

• Zendit Technologies Ltd: Founded by Abiodun Falomo, offers an AI-powered app connecting MSMEs to reliable courier options for 24-hour nationwide delivery, reducing delivery costs by up to 60%.

• Sanwo Technologies Ltd: Founded by Ibrahim Oredola, is a trust tech company dedicated to enabling risk-free online transactions in Africa and empowering small businesses with enterprise management

The dominance of women-led ventures among the top three positions underscores the pivotal role of women in driving transformative change and innovation in the entrepreneurial sphere.

Winners of DAAYTA 2024 will receive funding and support to further the growth and impact of their ventures.

The first-place recipient will be awarded ₦12,000,000 (twelve million naira) over one year for various purposes, including business plan development, entrepreneurial education at the Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) in Lagos, Nigeria, and acceleration support through a reputable entrepreneurial hub in Lagos, Nigeria.

The judging panel, composed of esteemed industry experts and investors including Dr. Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, Kola Aina, Sadiq Mohammed, Folashade Olusanya, Victor Asemota, and Ina Alogwu, played a vital role in evaluating the contestants and ensuring a fair and rigorous selection process.

Meet The Partners:

DAAYTA:

The Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Award (DAAYTA) is an annual competition aimed at identifying, supporting, and showcasing innovative young entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Through funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities, DAAYTA empowers emerging entrepreneurs to realize their full potential and make meaningful contributions to society.

ARM:

Established in 1994, ARM is a leading Nigerian diversified and integrated asset management group, offering wealth creation solutions and opportunities through a blend of traditional asset management and alternative investment services. ARM is committed to fostering entrepreneurship and driving economic growth in Nigeria.

TechnoVision:

TechnoVision, the brand name for TechnoVision Communications Limited, is a technology services company providing advisory services on technology-led transformation and early-stage entrepreneurship in Africa. 

The program was established in honor of Deji Alli, ARM‘s founding CEO, to support young entrepreneurs with innovative and sustainable ideas capable of impacting society positively.

After a rigorous review of over 450 applications from start-up entrepreneurs across Nigeria, seven outstanding companies were selected to pitch their ideas.

The selected startups were;

• Cdial Limited,
• Moon Innovations,
• Natibo Technologies Nigeria Limited,
• Sakula Limited,
• StackJunior,
• Strich, Inc., and
• ThinkBikes Limited.

The finalists delivered captivating pitches, demonstrating their ingenuity and the potential of their technologies to disrupt various industries.

A panel of judges, comprising industry experts, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, tech enthusiasts, and seasoned professionals, evaluated the pitches and selected the winner.

The winner of DAAYTA 2023 received funding of ₦12,000,000 (twelve million naira) over a period of one (1) year for the following purposes:

development of business plan, completing of an entrepreneurial education at the Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) in Lagos, Nigeria, and receiving 5-month acceleration support for the development of their venture through a reputable entrepreneurial hub in Lagos, Nigeria.

The DAAYTA program is a testament to ARM’s commitment to supporting start-ups and providing them access to new markets.

The virtual event held on April 14, 2023, witnessed enthusiastic participation from entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts.

The CEO of ARM Group, Jumoke Ogundare, said in her opening remarks, “We are thrilled with the level of innovation and creativity displayed by the finalists of DAAYTA 2023. The ideas presented were truly exceptional, and we are excited to see how these young entrepreneurs will continue to positively impact their communities and contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy.”

In addition, the CEO congratulated all the finalists and the winner of DAAYTA 2023, stressing that one of the major purposes of the program was to encourage collaboration within the DAAYTA alumni network.

A unique addition to the DAAYTA 2023 is the introduction of the DAAYTA Alumni Impact Award. The award was created to reaffirm the commitment to supporting the startups in the ecosystem and further deepening the relationship with the alumni through closer engagement, interaction, connections, and continuous support for their business growth.

The winners of the DAAYTA Alumni Impact Award were Fela Akinse, the Founder of SALUBATA (DAAYTA 2021 edition), Boluwatife Omotayo, the Founder of GAMP Technology, (DAAYTA 2022), and Uche Kenneth Udekwe, the Founder of Natal Cares (DAAYTA 2021).

This initiative was established in 2015 by ARM, in honor of its founding CEO, Deji Alli.

The initiative’s primary objective is to support young entrepreneurs who have innovative ideas that can positively impact people’s lives and the communities around them.

Some of the past winners of the initiative include –

• Murtala Sanni of WESABI – 2019 Class
• Eferobosa Oguegbu of The Paper Packaging Company – 2020 Class
• Tope Sulaimon of Scrapays Technologies Limited – 2021 Class
• Tunde Adeyemi of D-Olivette Enterprise – 2022 Class

Following a thorough review of over 450 applications from start-up entrepreneurs across Nigeria, the organizers have selected the top seven (7) outstanding companies to pitch their ideas.

The committees’ goal remains focused on identifying start-ups with a minimum viable product (MVP) and at least one customer.

The selected startups are Cdial Limited, Moon Innovations, Natibo Technologies Nigeria Limited, Sakula Limited, StackJunior, Strich, Inc. and ThinkBikes Limited.

The finalists will have the opportunity to present their pitches virtually to a panel of judges comprising respected entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals, including Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, Victor Asemota, Sadiq Mohammed, Folasade Olusanya, Kola Aina, Ina Alogwu, and Tomi Davies.

The eventual winner of DAAYTA 2023, subject to the Terms & Conditions, will receive funding of ₦12,000,000 (twelve million naira) over a period of one (1) year for the following purposes:

• Develop their business plan.
• Complete an entrepreneurial education at the Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) in Lagos, Nigeria.
• Receive a 5-month acceleration support for development of their venture through a reputable entrepreneurial hub in Lagos, Nigeria.

As part of ARM’s long-term goal to support and give start-ups access to new markets, the ARM Group is delighted to host another edition of DAAYTA.

The virtual event is scheduled to hold on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 6:00 PM via Zoom.

Interested participants can register for the event by clicking HERE.

This notice officially opens up the call for applications for DAAYTA 2023 as ARM seeks the brightest and most innovative start-up business ideas in Nigeria to participate in this edition.

Interested entrepreneurs can apply here.

The Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Award (DAAYTA) programme is a youth awards initiative founded in 2015 by ARM in honour of its founding CEO, Deji Alli. The goal of the award is to provide support to young entrepreneurs who have smart and innovative ideas that make a significant positive impact on the lives of the people and communities around them.

The initiative is in line with the firm’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with the aim of building a generation of change leaders, working together to build a better future.

DAAYTA 2023 focuses on identifying start-ups with a minimum viable product (MVP) and at least one customer.

The winner of the DAAYTA 2023 will receive funding of ₦12,000,000 (twelve million naira) over a period of one (1) year to; develop their business plan, complete an entrepreneurial education at the Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre in Lagos, Nigeria; and finance a 5-month acceleration support to develop their venture via a reputable entrepreneurial hub also in Lagos.

The DAAYTA Award which is in its fifth edition following a successful pilot edition in 2015 is coordinated by TechnoVision Communications LLC.

Click here to apply.

Established in 1994 as an asset management firm, Asset & Resource Management Holding Company Limited (ARM) has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most innovative and respected non-bank financial institutions focusing on Traditional Asset Management and Specialized Funds.

ARM is a leading investment management firm that provides a diverse range of asset management services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, foundations and charities, high net-worth individuals, and small savers.

TechnoVision, on the other hand, is the brand name for TechnoVision Communications Limited, a technology services company that advises clients on technology-led transformation and early-stage entrepreneurship in Africa.