The Social Innovation Driven Entrepreneurship (SIDE) initiative, a cornerstone of the Digital Access Program (DAP) led by the UK-NG Tech Hub, aims to enhance accessible, safe, and secure digital access for underserved communities in Nigeria. This initiative is conducted in partnership with the Network of Incubators and Innovators in Nigeria (NINE), focusing on engaging entrepreneurs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical regions through innovation hubs.
The SIDE project seeks to develop sustainable solutions that address economic data, risk capital, infrastructure, and advisory gaps in critical sectors. By leveraging digital innovation, the initiative targets poverty reduction and tackles challenges faced by SMEs in specific markets, particularly in underserved areas.
This 4-month acceleration program is designed for entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs to create relevant and scalable digital solutions to local challenges. The program supports projects across key sectors such as health, education, food security, employment, and climate change, aiming to alleviate economic indicators of poverty.
The initiative kicked off with a research-focused challenge brief, designed in collaboration with Nigeria’s academic ecosystem, followed by a robust call for applications that attracted over 900 submissions. From these, 60 startups were chosen for the Masterclass phase, facilitated in partnership with innovation hubs located in Adamawa, Edo, Enugu, Kaduna, Kwara, and Osun.
After completing the Masterclass and subsequent pitching sessions, 12 startups were selected to advance to a 16-week acceleration program. This phase will culminate in a Demo Day on June 25, 2024, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The Demo Day will serve as a platform for the SIDE startups to showcase their developments, engage with potential investors, receive feedback, and network with industry experts to foster the growth and scalability of their ventures.
Event Highlights
The Demo Day will gather stakeholders from Nigeria’s vibrant tech ecosystem to experience firsthand the impactful solutions developed by these entrepreneurs and to extend their support to these promising projects. Join us to witness and support the acceleration of change and the empowerment of communities through innovative digital solutions.
The Digital Access Program (DAP) is an initiative of the UK Government that supports the UK-NG Tech Hub, aiming to catalyze affordable, inclusive, and secure digital access to drive economic growth and societal progress in underserved populations.
