On Wednesday 18th July 2018, Network of Incubators and Innovators in Nigeria (NINe) hosted Acumen West Africa Hub Tour.
Acumen is an international non-profit investment organization. The event availed Acumen West Africa team the opportunity to meet with Hub owners, Start-ups, Entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the Abuja innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Acumen in the last fifteen years has invested over $110 million in breakthrough innovations with 102 countries serving low-income customers within 13 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the U.S. with a major focus on post-seed to scale opportunities especially in the Agriculture and Renewable Energy space.
The event began with an introduction of Acumen and Acumen West Africa by the Business Operations and Programs Coordinator, Mercy Olorunfemi.
Oluwatoyin Emmanuel-Olubake, Associate Director, Acumen West Africa then delivered a detailed speech on Acumen's mission, vision, their achievements in the last fifteen years and their plans for Nigeria.
He gave audience to key players in the Northern entrepreneurial ecosystem who would like to work closely with the investment organisation and receive financial support. He highlighted Acumen's interest in companies that create sustainable solutions in the Nigerian Ecosystem and gave clear answers to questions concerning investment opportunities in agriculture and its fellowship program.
We had present, representatives from Ventures Platform Foundation, Blue Sapphire Hub, Insiteful Solutions, Aiivon Innovation Hub, Techspecialist Academy, Passion Incubator, Enspire Incubator Hub, InstaR Solutions NG, Co- Farms, Cavic Hub, Axe Capital NG and a mix of young entrepreneurs in the agriculture and renewable energy space.
At the end of the meeting, Bankole Oloruntoba, founder, Network of Incubators and Innovators in Nigeria (NINe) and Executive Director, Enspire Incubators gave the closing remark, insights into NINE's plan for hubs in Nigeria and appreciated everyone for coming.
Business hubs have mushroomed in the past five years partly because of governments' measures to support small enterprises. They provide office space and facilities at a low rent, combined with networking opportunities and advice to new ventures through the tricky early stages. Some are privately run for a profit, some are managed by universities and others are run by local authorities, or charities.
Founder NINe, Bankole Oloruntoba, said there are opportunities for business hubs with unemployed youths looking for avenues to polish their entrepreneurial skills, or learn more about marketing or business models.
Oloruntoba is brimming with confidence having seen the organisation's entrepreneurship programme aimed at creating new businesses yielding results.