The session delved into the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in today’s globalized world. As businesses increasingly seek to expand beyond local markets, the need for innovative strategies to break down geographic and operational barriers has become paramount.

The session explored the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in today’s globalized world. As businesses increasingly seek to expand beyond local markets, having unique and professional branding is essential.

One innovative approach to building a strong brand identity is through custom business cards, which allow entrepreneurs to make lasting impressions in any market.

Tools like Adobe Express make it easy to design and print personalized business cards that help break down geographic and operational barriers.

The session featured industry experts from diverse sectors: Alaseidiema Atedoghu, the admin & cultural manager at Cinfores, brought her extensive experience in navigating cultural complexities within multinational organizations.

Emem Jacob Edem, CEO of the Etegram Group, shared insights from scaling his diverse conglomerate across multiple regions.

Also, Tobi Ololade, CEO and engineering lead of Dojah, leveraged his technical background in leading a fast-growing fintech company.

The panelists discussed how entrepreneurs can harness innovation to fuel growth and successfully scale their businesses across borders. Key themes included leveraging technology, navigating regulatory environments, and tapping into new markets while addressing the unique challenges of global expansion.

Tobi Ololade speaking on balancing business growth and impacting the local community said: “Startups can balance growth and community impact by creating products people need, not just what they want.”

Emem, speaking on the challenges of building a borderless business, noted that while regulatory hurdles may arise for businesses looking to operate internationally, it is pertinent that adequate research is made to ensure proper understanding of the business environment.

The conversation also highlighted the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and digital transformation in fostering borderless business models.

Alaseidiema highlights the need for Startups to adapt to the cultural nuances of regions they are expanding to.

In her words: “Communication is very important. Founders must understand verbal and nonverbal communication, direct and indirect communication. Communication style differs and founders must learn to speak in a way that their local communities understand.

“There is also the issue of flexibility. Founders need to be flexible as they look to expand. There is no exact way to do things if a startup wants to expand to a new terrain or locality.”

This session provided valuable insights for entrepreneurs eager to expand their reach and operate seamlessly across different regions.

Tobi speaking on the inclusion of technology in business asserts that technology is solely responsible for the success of a business. He further said that technology only enhances business operations.

“I have always disagreed that technology is the first thing a business needs. My first advice to founders is that they should solve a problem first without technology. If they remain successful in the short-run, then they can go ahead to include technology to enhance operations.

Try out that business idea in your local market or a Whatsapp community and see it work. The success of a startup is not in technology. Technology comes to enhance what you have already built in terms of operations.

The panelists highlighted that while challenges such as regulatory hurdles, cultural differences, and logistical issues persist, they are not insurmountable.

Through innovative approaches and a focus on scalability, businesses can overcome these obstacles and tap into new opportunities.

For entrepreneurs looking to scale, the message was clear: technology is not an end, but a tool for growth—it’s a necessity for success in an increasingly borderless world.

This Hackathon is the first of many exciting partnerships and features for #StartupSouth9. With $3 million in potential investment and instant cash prizes available, this event is a golden opportunity for blockchain and Web3 developers to showcase their skills by building on the Asset Chain from Xend Finance.

Benefits

The $RWA Hackathon offers a unique chance for developers to gain exposure and access to resources that can accelerate their projects. Participants will benefit from:

• Potential Investment: With $3 million up for grabs, projects that stand out can secure funding to take their ideas to the next level.
• Instant Cash Prizes: Besides potential investments, there are immediate cash rewards for developers who create innovative solutions. The first prize is $1,000, with second and third prizes set at $750 and $500, respectively, and seven consolation prizes of $100 each.
• Exposure and Networking: Engage with industry leaders and fellow developers, expanding your network within the blockchain and Web3 community.
• Cutting-Edge Technology: Utilize the Asset Chain, which supports fast, scalable, and secure smart contract transactions, offering a robust platform for development.

Eligibility

The hackathon is open to:

• Blockchain and Web3 Developers: Individuals or teams with skills in blockchain technology and Web3 development.
• Innovative Thinkers: Those who are passionate about leveraging blockchain to solve real-world problems.
• Global Participants: Developers from around the world are encouraged to join and showcase their talents on an international stage.

How to Apply

The $RWA Hackathon, running from July 31 to October 3, 2024, offers developers the chance to solve real-life challenges and win big. To participate in the $RWA Hackathon, follow these steps:

1. Learn More About Asset Chain: Familiarise yourself with the Asset Chain by visiting this link to understand its capabilities and potential applications. The Asset Chain is fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine and provides a fast, scalable, and secure platform, achieving transaction finality in 1–2 seconds and processing up to 5,000 transactions per second.
2. Sign Up: If you’re a developer or part of a team, register for the hackathon by visiting this link.
3. Stay Informed: For additional information and updates, check out the event details on LinkedIn.

Key Hackathon Activities & Dates

• July 31: Hackathon Announcement & Application Commencement
• August 9: Hackathon Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) Session
• August 15: Application Deadline
• September 14: Project Submission Deadline
• September 22: Shortlist Announcement
• October 3: Hackathon Demo Day at the #StartupSouth9 Conference in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The $RWA Hackathon promises to be a groundbreaking event, providing a platform to highlight and showcase Xend Finance’s Asset Chain. This initiative is set to change how legally transactable asset types are handled on-chain, and participants have the opportunity to be at the forefront of this innovation. 

Participants are encouraged to build, pitch, and win, becoming part of the future of blockchain. Interested developers can apply now and start building by visiting the website.

In a statement, Ugochukwu Aronu, the founder of Xend Finance, said, “The Hackathon will give innovators the opportunity to take Xend Finance’s latest cutting-edge platform for a spin.” This comes on the heels of the first Hackathon that produced Lazerpay. 

Speaking on the collaboration, the Convener of #StartupSouth, Uche Aniche, said, “We are excited to be providing a platform to launch this innovative and groundbreaking solution built by Xend Finance. We look forward to celebrating and supporting the products that will emerge from the Hackathon.”