The MassChallenge and NITDA will be working closely to promote Nigeria as an emerging entrepreneurial hub.
This was revealed by the CEO of MassChallenge, Siobhan Dullea during a Media Stakeholder Engagement on the Bridge to MassChallenge Initiative, held on Tuesday, 18th May, 2021. She said that through B2MC Nigeria, MassChallenge will connect Nigerian entrepreneurs with markets, networks, and capital in the global innovation ecosystem.
The statement read, “MassChallenge is the global network for innovators who are working to solve massive challenges. We connect players in innovation ecosystems to grow and transform economies.
“We are a global non-profit organization that takes no equity from startups. We have 9 programs in 7 locations – in Mexico; Switzerland; Israel and 4 locations in the United States. We have also worked with 18 additional countries through other Bridge to MassChallenge program like this one — to help strengthen innovation ecosystems and drive the creation of high-quality jobs by supporting entrepreneurs and connecting them to our global network.
“Our results are proven:
- 2,900 startups accelerated
- 3.6B revenue generated by startups
- 8.6B funding received by startups
- 186,000 jobs created globally
“MassChallenge has supported many high-quality Nigerian startups through our global programs and are excited by our work with NITDA to support even more.
“In order to create new jobs, new wealth, new technology, and regional competitiveness, all ecosystem stakeholders – government, corporate, investors, universities, industry experts, and YOU the media, need to come together to help entrepreneurs launch, grow and scale their businesses
“Another way to say this is: successful innovation ecosystems are fundamentally dependent on the interaction and shared knowledge between different stakeholders.
“You — The media — represent major sources of shared knowledge, setting a standard for public discussion, influencing the public agenda, and give a platform for entrepreneurs to amplify their ideas. The role of journalism & media within innovation ecosystems is important. Thank you so much in advance for your engagement and support.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of NITDA, Mallam Abdullahi said the initiative is designed to identify and accelerate top startups based in Nigeria and grow their businesses to serve the Nigerian and global market.
He stressed that a vibrant startup ecosystem is highly critical to the future of our country and it’s vital to finding solutions to our various challenges.
The DG spoke at the media stakeholder engagement on the Bridge to MassChallenge initiative, which is part of NITDA-MassChallenge partnership, which held on Tuesday.
Also, he added that the initiative is designed to identify and accelerate top startups based in Nigeria and grow their businesses to serve the Nigerian and global market.
