Now in it’s 8th Edition, #StartupSouth is the annual flagship Startup Conference and platform that facilitate connections, networking and opportunities for founders, early stage Investors, large corporates and African Government officials – especially at the subnational.

In a statement released to journalists, the organizers disclosed that speakers and guests confirmed at the conference include Kuppolakshmi Krishnamoorthy, Global Head, Zoho for Startups, Paul Onwuanibe, Group CEO, Landmark Group, Victor Asemota, Africa Startup Ecosystem Leader & investor, Obi Asika, Convener, Omniverse and Janet Sawari, CEO & Founder, TAIR Labs, Cape Town, South Africa. Others are Dr. Chimezie Amadi, Commissioner, Digital Economy & E-Governance, Imo State, and Chinwe Okoli, Special Adviser to Anambra State Governor on Innovation & Incubation.

Others expected speakers at #StartupSouth8 are; Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser to Enugu State Governor on SMEs & Startup, Mohamed Amine Khiari, Chairman & CEO, Africa Accelerator, Tunisia & Partner, Network VC Silicon Valley Fund, Geoffrey Weli-Wosu, Founder, Domineum Blockchain, Emeka MBA, CEO & Founder, Afia TV, Kehinde Ogundare, Country Manager, Zoho, Akintunde Oyebode, Commissioner for Finance, Ekiti State, Nkechi Obi, Chairman, National Female League and others.

The theme for this year’s Conference is Deep & Bold: 5IR, Emerging Realities, Regional Economic Imperatives & The Role of Innovation. Speaking about the theme, the Convener, Uche Aniche said the theme provides an opportunity for a reflection on Nigeria/Africa’s readiness for the impact of Artificial Intelligence and explores the right response especially at the subnational level to ensure that Africa doesn’t get the short end of the stick.

The #StartupSouth8 conference which will feature Breakout Sessions from over forty Corporate and Individual brands also has as a feature an Investors Meetup on Thursday October 5, 2023 in partnership with African Business Angel Network/VC4A as well as an Awards Night on Friday October 6, 2023.

The purpose of The Awards is to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Founders and Corporate organizations, regardless of their public or private status, who have made significant contributions to the Innovation ecosystem and embodied the core values of the #StartupSouth movement.

The Conference is Proudly sponsored by Zoho Technologies, Rapid Cabins, Breej, Cool FM Port Harcourt & Nigeria Info Port Harcourt, The King’s Assembly and others.

Techeconomy is set to host a session on Media Innovation for Regional and Economic Growth.

https://twitter.com/TecheconomyNG/status/1705202972953596285

Award presentation to Winners will take place as part of closing ceremony for #StartupSouth8 Conference.

In July 2023, #StartupSouth opened preliminary nominations to the public, for its annual Startup Awards taking place on Friday, October 6, 2023, as part of a 2-day line-up of activities for #StartupSouth8 Conference.

Held annually, the #StartupSouth Conference is the largest gathering of innovators, startup founders, thinkers, policy makers, and investors, among others within the South-South and South-Eastern regions of Nigeria.

Preliminary nominations for the awards closed on August 31, 2023, after which valid entries for each category were screened and shortlisted by an in-house committee.

Each category has its eligibility criteria. However, the duration of impact or assessment is between 12 to 36 months relative to eligibility criteria.

To be eligible for any category, you must be an individual, founder, Startup, or Organization (institution, corporate and development organisation)  with remarkable impact within the set duration.

These nominees have demonstrated exceptional commitment, innovation, and impact within their respective fields, contributing to the growth and development of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem.

Now, it’s your turn to be part of this exciting celebration of innovation! We invite you to cast your votes for your favourite nominees in each category. Public votes account for 20% for the awards and your votes will play a crucial role in determining the winners of Startup Awards 2023.

The voting is currently open until September 30, 2023. Visit here to vote.

Full List of Finalists

Startup of the Year – National

1. OmniBiz
2. Clafiya
3. Vesti
4. HouseAfrica
5. Xend Finance
6. GreenAge Technology
7. MarketingBlocks AI

Startup of the Year – Regional

1. Clafiya
2. HouseAfrica (Port Harcourt)
3. Foris Labs

Inspirational Founder of the Year – National

1. Jennie Nwokoye
2. Nnamdi Uba
3. Ndifreke Ikokpu
4. Ifiok Nkem

Inspirational Founder of the Year – Regional

1. Jennie Nwokoye
2. Nnamdi Uba
3. Ndifreke Ikokpu
4. Aaron Esumeh
5. Ugochukwu Nkwocha

Public Institution of the Year – National

1. NITDA
2. FIRS
3. SMEDAN

Public Institution of the Year – Regional

1. Solutions Innovation District (Anambra)
2. Anambra ICT Agency
3. Enugu SME Centre
4. Skill-up Imo (MInistry Digital Economy & e-Government)

Best Startup Coverage (Radio) – Regional

1. Nigeria Info PH
2. Wave FM
3. HOT FM (Owerri)
4. Today FM
5. BOSS Radio 98.9 FM

Best Startup Coverage (TV) – National

1. Channels TV
2. Arise TV
3. PlusTV
4. TVC
5. AIT
6. Silverbird TV
7. Wazobia TV

Best Startup Coverage (TV) – Regional

1. AfiaTV Enugu
2. ITV Benin
3. Atlantic TV
4. Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS)
5. NTA Port Harcourt

Best Startup Coverage (Technology New Media Platform) – National

1. Technext
2. TechCabal
3. Techeconomy
4. Techpoint
5. Techbuild

Best Startup Coverage (Non-Technology New Media Platform) – Regional

1. Naira Diary
2. Pulse
3. Legit.ng
4. Abacityblog.com

Startup Journalist of the Year Regional

1. Ignatius Chukwu (BusinessDay)
2. Ikechukwu Nzeako (Daily Independent Newspaper)
3. Mr Peter Oluka (Tech Economy)
4. Mr Ken NWOGBO (Nigeria Communications Weekly )

Most Inspirational Technology Hub – Regional

1. Harvoxx, Port Harcourt
2. Code Hauz, Eket
3. Innovation Growth Hub, Aba
4. Olotu Square, Port Harcourt
5. Start Innovation Hub , Uyo
6. Digital Dreams , Enugu
7. Ken Saro-Wiwa Innovation Hub, Port Harcourt
8. Root Hub, Uyo
9. Genesys Tech Hub – Enugu

Best Startup/Technology Show (TV)

1. The Beam (Channels TV)
2. The Street Wize
3. Global Business Report
4. Business Express (NTA Port Harcourt)

Best Startup Coverage (Print)

1. Guardian Newspaper
2. BusinessDay
3. Leadership Newspaper
4. Premium Times
5. Vanguard Newspaper
6. The Nation Newspaper

Best Startup Ecosystem Newsletter

1. Nairametrics Follow Tech
2. TechCabal Daily
3. TechPoint Digest
4. TechSafari

Best Startup  Ecosystem Podcast or Vlog

1. Growing Africa Podcast – Daniel Ose
2. Techpoint Africa Podcast
3. Building the Future with Dotun – Dotun Olowoporoku
4. KuriousK Podcast

Most Inspiring Startup Community

1. GDG Port Harcourt
2. PH Startup Founders
3. HerTech Trail
4. GDG Bonny
5. Delta Tech Network
6. GDG Uyo
7. GDG Aba
8. GDG Enugu
9. GDG Benin
10. GDG Owerri
11. Onitsha Twitter Connect
12. Bedrock Initiative, Owerri
13. B<>rderless, Port Harcourt

Most Active #StartupSouth City Community

1. Benin
2. Port Harcourt
3. Uyo
4. Yenagoa

Next Rated Startup

1. Classmigo (Owerri)
2. BingPay (Port Harcourt)
3. Acecore (Port Harcourt)
4. Pandascrow (Port Harcourt)
5. Diskox (Owerri)
6. ReviveEarth (Enugu)
7. Bellum (Port Harcourt)

Best New Media Platform (Technology)

1. Technext
2. TechCabal
3. Techeconomy
4. Techpoint
5. Techbuild

Best Startup/Technology Show (Radio)

1. Talking Figures (NigeriaInfo Port Harcourt)
2. The Entrepreneur (WaveFM Port Harcourt)
3. BusinessToday (Today FM Port Harcourt)

Best Startup Ecosystem Intelligence Platform

1. TechCabal Insights
2. Asoko Insights
3. TheCable Index
4. Stears

…Panel session to focus on “5IR: Media Innovation for Regional and Economic Growth”

Techeconomy, a leading digital media startup in Nigeria, has announced it will organise a special session at the forthcoming #StartupSouth8 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria on October 5-6, 2023.

The eighth edition of #StartupSouth’s annual event has as its central theme: “Deep & Bold: 5IR, Emerging Realities, Regional Economic Imperatives & The Role of Innovation ”.

Through the Session Hosting programme, Techeconomy will delve into the sub-theme: “5IR: Media Innovation for Regional and Economic Growth”.

The panellists include Peter Oluka, editor, Techeconomy; Ebere Ogwumoyi, general manager, RedCloud Technologies Nigeria; Victor Siokwu, managing director, Shimol Services Limited and Ndume Green, founder/creative director, CapitalTV.

Diekola Omolaja, a brand strategist and Head of Business at Techeconomy, will moderate the session.

Commenting on the objectives of the media session at #StartupSouth8, Oluka said the development of any innovation relies heavily on public perception which means that people’s understanding of any technology was shaped, majorly, by the media.

“The media also keeps a check on public policy by throwing a spotlight on government action. They let people voice diverse opinions on governance and reform and help build public consensus to bring about change.

“Such media help markets work better. They can facilitate trade, transmitting ideas and innovation across boundaries hence we’re thrilled to inform you about Techeconomy’s upcoming panel session at the #StartupSouth8 Conference, taking place on the 5th & 6th of October 2023, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria under the sub-theme: Media Innovation for Regional and Economic Growth.

Techeconomy offers its readers Content-as-a-Service (CaaS) by telling you what is new in Technology, Business, and Economy; reflecting on why it matters, how it works, and the benefits.

The team works round-the-clock to explore and explain the changing world around us, tilting the lenses on the emerging market.

How to participate:

To participate in the #StartupSouth8 session, register through the link here.

StartupSouth Enterprise Development LTD/GTE (#StartupSouth), a Startup (Digital/Creative economy) ecosystem development and advocacy organization and a Community next generation Founders building high-scale ventures in Nigeria – especially out of the South-South/South-East regions.

It is a Community of Communities with affiliations spanning across 11 States in the South and beyond. #StartupSouth members are building some of the most iconic venture-backed projects you probably have encountered.