The Standard Chartered Foundation has announced the winners of its Women in Tech Accelerator in Nigeria, with 5 finalists receiving grant funding totalling $50,000.
Winners of the Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Nigeria cycle 7 cohort with Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Acting CEO, Ayodeji Adelagun, EDC Director, team with top 5 winners
Delivered in partnership with Village Capital and local implementing partner Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Pan-Atlantic University, this year’s impressive cohort consisted of 11 ventures. The winners were announced after five of the most promising businesses competed pitched for the top prize, where they were empowered to present their business growth plan in front a panel of esteemed judges.
Joke Adu, Head, Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing, Standard Chartered, Nigeria said: ‘At Standard Chartered, we believe that empowering women entrepreneurs is one of the most effective ways to drive inclusive economic growth.
‘Since launching the Women in Technology Programme in Nigeria in 2019, we have impacted thousands of women across the country, directly trained more than 70 women through our incubator cohorts and provided seed funding to 35 women-led businesses.
‘The achievements of our Cohort 7 winners reaffirm the immense potential that exists when women founders are given access to the right skills, networks, mentorship, and capital. We are proud to support their journeys as they scale innovative solutions that create jobs, strengthen communities and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.’
Speaking on the significance of the accelerator, Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University said, ‘The WIT Cycle 7 programme demonstrates the impact that can be achieved when women entrepreneurs are given access to the right skills, networks, mentorship and opportunities to grow. Over the course of the programme, we have seen women strengthen their businesses, deepen their use of technology, build valuable connections and gain the confidence to pursue new opportunities.
‘This cohort reflects the talent and potential of African women to drive innovation, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to economic growth. We are proud to have supported their growth and remain committed to creating platforms that equip women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, confidence and connections they need to build sustainable businesses and create lasting impact in their communities and beyond.’
The winning ventures span diverse sectors including healthcare and event management to accessibility technology, trade, and digital education, with each startup receiving $10,000 in funding to help them scale their business.
The winners are:
Jennifer Esiaba, Founder/CEO, Mariam Grey Pharmacy
Jennifer Esiaba founded Mariam Grey Pharmacy, an AI-powered telepharmacy providing accessible medication, pharmacist consultations and chronic care support through smartphones, basic phones and USSD across Nigeria.