The UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, in partnership with the Network of Incubators and Innovators in Nigeria (NIINE), launched the Social Innovation Driven Entrepreneurship (SIDE) program. The objective of the program is to identify and support social impact entrepreneurs, including innovators and startups, who are creating sustainable and scalable solutions in key sectors. The SIDE project focused on the following sectors: Education, Employment, Food, Health, and Climate & Environmental Change.
The program was launched in some selected states across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, including Adamawa State. NIINE organized a three-day Master Class in collaboration with the Northeast Humanitarian and Innovation Hub (NEHIH) for social impact entrepreneurs in Adamawa State.
Objectives of the Social Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship Program
The SIDE program aimed to:
- Identify and support social impact entrepreneurs, including innovators and startups, who are creating sustainable and scalable solutions in key sectors.
- Facilitate idea pitching and provide a platform for entrepreneurs to engage with stakeholders through Q&A sessions, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and insights.
3-Day Master Class for Social Impact Entrepreneurs
The 3-day Master Class organized by NIINE in collaboration with NEHIH was a comprehensive educational event for social impact entrepreneurs in Adamawa State. The event covered the identified sectors in the state and sought to work with innovators and startups to design solutions to the challenges faced.
The first two days of the Master Class provided valuable insights into product/solution design and development, and the art of pitching ideas effectively. The NEHIH facilitated the learning sessions using instructors who have been working with startups in the region and providing the group with key resources to help them refine and re-validate their ideas for the market.
Pitch/Demo Day for Social Impact Entrepreneurs
The culminating event of the three-day Master Class was the Pitch/Demo Day, where entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their initiatives before key stakeholders from the government and the startup community. The pitch day served as a networking platform for startups, enabling them to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another.
Outcomes of the Social Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship Program
The SIDE program, through the Master Class and Pitch/Demo Day events, was a success and a testament to the NEHIH’s commitment to driving cross-sector collaboration and supporting the creation/development of homegrown solutions.
As with other incubators and accelerator programs designed and implemented by the NEHIH, we have continued to identify and support social impact entrepreneurs, including innovators and startups, who are creating sustainable and scalable solutions in key sectors of the economy. We have also facilitated idea pitching and provided a platform for entrepreneurs to engage with stakeholders through sessions, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and insights. These are impact strategies that were also employed on the SIDE project.
During the 3-day SIDE project activities, we successfully provided valuable insights into product/solution design and development, as well as effective idea-pitching techniques. We facilitated meaningful connections between the startups, enabling them to share experiences and learn from one another. Our emphasis on partnerships with government ministries, departments, and agencies in relevant thematic areas was well-received, and we encouraged entrepreneurs to prioritize balancing progress with cultural preservation. Overall, we achieved a lot during the 3-day SIDE project activities!
The success of the Social Innovation Driven Entrepreneurship program lies not only in the innovation it nurtures but also in the collaborative efforts that will drive meaningful change in the region. Through the program, social impact entrepreneurs in Nigeria are empowered to create sustainable and scalable solutions in key sectors, while also upholding cultural values and traditions.
The SIDE program is an excellent example of how partnerships and collaborations can bring about meaningful change in society. It is hoped that through the program and events such as the Master Class and Pitch/Demo Day, social impact entrepreneurs in Nigeria will broaden their partnership base, including collaborations with government agencies, to ensure their solutions have a lasting and widespread impact on the challenges faced by Adamawa State.
See more pictures from the training sessions and Demo day below
