‘Founders Conference’ to host over 200 tech start-ups

Founders of tech-driven start-ups,technology enthusiasts and other stakeholders within the Nigerian business ecosystem will gather at the first edition of Founders Conference.

The conference, which is being organised by Venture Starter Company, will be held on October 3, 2016 at the Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event titled “Founders’ Conference 2016” is designed to foster innovation and sustainability in the country’s entrepreneurial space as start-up founders will have the opportunity to gain new insight, forge entrepreneurial alliances and meet with venture capitalists.

According to the organisers, 20 most innovative business ventures among the 240 attendees expected will be selected to pitch to investors for funding opportunity.

Bunmi Jembola, the event’s convener and chief executive officer, Venture Starter , said the speakers scheduled for the conference are succesful start-up founders and will focus on the approach needed to accelerate growth and profitability running a business.

They include Jason Njoku, founder/CEO, IrokoTV;Raphael Afaedor, founder/CEO, supermartng.com; Fikayo Ogundipe, CEO, tolet.com.ng, Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, founder/CEO, Wecycler, Oluyomi Ojo, Founder/CEO, Printivo.com.
“Founders Conference is targeted at Nigeria’s technology start-up founders, co-founders, venture fund providers, and SME regulatory agencies and technology enthusiasts.” Jembola said.

“Nigerian technology start-ups are faced with several problems but chief among them is knowledge. Many founders start out knowing too little and very often that results in disaster. This conference seeks to substantially bridge the knowledge gap by bringing Nigeria’s most successfully tech start-up founders.

“Another major problem is infrastructure. It is common knowledge that every business person in Nigeria provides virtually all his infrastructure. In other climes where start-ups record more accelerated growth a sharing economy is created around start-up hubs and this is actively supported by government to such an extent that it substantially reduces take-off cost.

“Government can provide work space, cheap internet, power, water and even finance.This in itself is enough incentive to get several youths on the bandwagon of technology and innovation.

He also added that the conference intends to foster an engagement between start-up founders and key decision makers in government on a panel specifically meant for policy makers.

Individuals interested to attend can register here for free.