The Award is a special category under The Startup Awards by #StartupSouth which is a celebration of individuals and organizations (both public and private) who have shown verifiable track record and support  for the  innovation ecosystem and the #StartupSouth ethos.

In a statement officially announcing the release of the finalists, StartupSouth Enterprise Development LTD/GTE (#StartupSouth), the organizers said over 500 nominations were received from the public across over 20 categories.

Leading the Nominees include Sir Kingsley Eze, (Founder, Tenece & Genesys Tech Hub), Ukinebo Dare (Former MD, Edo Innovation Hub), Mohamed Jega (Founder,. Startup Arewa) and Adia Sowho (Chief Marketing Officer, MTN). Other nominees include The Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation, Partnership Initiative for Niger Delta (PIND), Keeping it Real Foundation and Fate Foundation. Other companies nominated include last mile trade logistics Startup Omni Biz, Proptech Startup, House Africa and many others. 

You can find the official nominee list here and Startup Awards 2022 Nominees.

Online Voting will account for 20% of scoring with factors such as geographic spread (with special emphasis on regional), Growth and impact accounting for the rest points across all categories except the Innocent Chukwuma Awards for innovation where a special Jury will review each nominee suitability for the award.

Voting ends on the 8th of November while the award ceremony will take place on the 11th of November as part of the programme at #StartupSouth7 Port Harcourt conference. You can go here to vote for the nominees in the different categories: bit.ly/ss7-vote.

To register for the conference, go to 7.startupsouth.org.

Announcing this via a message to journalists, Uche Aniche, the Convener of #StartupSouth said Funke was chosen by a Jury in recognition of her contributions to the development of Nigeria’s Innovation Ecosystem.

The Award which is a special category under the Startup Awards by #StartupSiouth was set up in honour of Late Innocent Chukwuma, one of Nigeria’s foremost human rights activists, development professional and former Country Director, West Africa at Ford Foundation.

Flutterwave and their CEO,  Olugbenga Agboola (GB) were both awarded Startup of the Year (National) and Most Inspirational Founder of the Year (National) respectively. Other winners include (but not limited to) CEO of Enugu based Xend Finance, Ugochukwu Aronu (Most inspirational Founder of the Year, (Regional)) and renewable energy OEM and SSEAN portfolio company, Greenage Technologies (Startup of the Year (Regional).

A full list of the winners across all categories can be found here.

Accepting the award, Funke Opeke said, “obviously, the work that we are all committed to do to promote innovation and economic development in Nigeria is not yet done, however with the continued commitment of note-worthy citizens and organizations such as #StartupSouth, I remain optimistic that together, we will continue to make progress and achieve the vision of a more productive and enterprising Nigeria.”

Speaking on behalf of the family,  Mrs Joesphine Effah-Chukwuma, widow of Late Mr. Chukwuma congratulated Ms Opeke and praised her sterling records in support of the Innovation Ecosystem. “Our family is impressed with your work and are grateful to #StartupSouth for initiating this award in honour of our husband, father, brother and in-law.”

#StartupSouth

#StartupSouth is a Startup & Creative/digital Economy ecosystem development and advocacy organization. We are inspiring a generation of founders building high scale ventures across Nigeria with special focus on the South-South/South-East regions.

#StartupSouth collaborates with key stakeholders – including founders, innovation hubs, enterprise support organizations, policy makers, local/international foundations and development organizations –  to co-create solutions to blockers hindering the innovation ecosystem growth.

Startup Awards by #StartupSouth

Startup Awards by #StartupSouth identifies and honours individuals and organizations who through their works are extending the boundaries, deepening innovation ecosystem and creating opportunities.

Startup Awards by #STARTUPSOUTH Winners Full List: