The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) organized Changemaker Challenge 2023 is an annual Hackathon event also known as codefest to encourage startups and investors create applications and services to deepen Information Communication Technology (ICT) solutions in the country particularly in the rural, unserved and under-served areas.
The competition held in the Northern (Sokoto State) and Southern (Lagos State) regions of Nigeria and was facilitated by Skaldon International Limited and Greycube Dynamics Limited respectively. The Hackathon brought together aspiring Nigerian youths drawn from different states within the two (2) regions fully prepared to set new records in their unique ways, bridging the gap in the digital space.
The theme for the 5th edition of the competition was tagged “Think it, Build it and Innovate it – Accelerating socio-economic development through ICT Solutions”.
In his welcome address, the Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Secretariat, Mr. Yomi Arowosafe stated that the Changemaker challenge aims to provide a platform for ICT start-ups to design and develop working prototypes solutions which is capable of deepening ICT penetration in Nigeria, while creating employment for young Nigerians. He implored all participants to produce service/solutions that will lead to further market research, making them co-founders to move their ideas into viable start-ups, attracting investors funds, and further accelerate into a wonderful world of entrepreneurship capable of creating employment to teeming youthful population.
Credible judges were chosen to give objective assessment of initiatives and score pitch presentations based on the following ten (10) Tech Solution Categories: AR/VR, Artificial Intelligence (AI), e-Health, Security, Cloud Computing, Internet Connectivity, Agro Tech, Ed Tech, Fintech amongst others in tandem with the mandate of the Secretariat.
Monetary prizes ranging from N2,500, 000.00 (1st Prize), N1,500,000.00 (2nd Prize) to N1,000, 000.00 (3rd Prize) was won by teams that participated in the competition in the zones as follows:
Northern Region winners
- Winner: Team Clodocs – Solution – Telemedicine
- First Runner up: Team Code Wolves – Solution – EdTech
- Second Runner up: Team Helping Hands- Solution – e-Health
Southern Region Winners
- Winner: Team Metaverse Medical Simulation -Solution – AV/VR
- First Runner up: Team Say Innovations -Solution – Agro-Tech
- Second Runner up: Team Blue Sands Stem Labs – Ed-Tech
Consolation prizes of N150, 000 each were also presented to the remaining teams. The top three (3) winners from the two regions will proceed to the incubation stage and entrepreneurship training as well as have access to investors.
All the teams were considered winners for their innovative ICT solutions and advised to remain focused and pursue their visions. More information on www.uspfchangemaker2023.ng
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