Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released N5 million as grant to three top winners of the 2021 Emerging Technologies Research and ICT Innovation Competition and Exhibition.
The overall winner got N2.5 million while the first runner up got N1.5 million and the second runner up got N1 million.
The Emerging Technologies Research and ICT Innovation Competition and Exhibition, is an annual competition, organised by NCC to promote startups development and to boost local developed solutions that address specific needs of organisations.
Our of 44 applications received by NCC this year, the top 20 were shortlisted and were made to pitch their solution before competent judges, before the three top finalists emerged.
The pitch was held this week at the Digital Bridge Institute in Lagos.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta said: “Through the exhibition, the commission will assist contestants build rewarding and sustainable business partnerships, find best business innovations that have the potential to succeed in the commercial environment, and provide opportunity for them to present their plans to a group of local and global venture capitalists.”
Danbatta who was represented by a senior management staff at NCC, Mr. Chimezie Amadi, said: “By this, ICT innovations will be promoted in ways that improve the nation’s ability to compete in the global economy, increase investment in youth and promotion of Tech Hubs and Startups for new business delivery breakthroughs and also enhance digital economy, in line with NCC’s Strategic Vision Implementation Plan SVIP (2021-2025).