The Telecommunication and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) has awarded N9.5 million in seed funding to three startups that emerged as winners of the 2026 Innovation Makers Challenge (IMC) 2.0.
The winners were announced at the second edition of the IMC Conference and Innovation Exhibition held in Lagos on Thursday.
Agrovesto Enterprise Limited, led by Omolola Adewoye, emerged as the overall winner and received N6 million.
Blue Sands STEM Labs, a virtual laboratory education technology venture led by Alero Thompson, came in first runner-up and received N2 million. In contrast, QiqiFarms, an agricultural technology company led by Favour Adeleke, received N1 million after emerging second runner-up.
The cheques were presented to the winners by the Board Chairman of TTSWG, Engr. Abdu-Waya Mohammed, alongside other executives and industry stakeholders.
TTSWG said the three winners would also participate in a six-month incubation programme aimed at strengthening their capacity and supporting the growth of their businesses.
The three startups emerged from a five-company pitch competition involving early-stage innovators.
The other participants were Elcornel Business Enterprises Limited, a climate-focused agricultural technology startup, and Anatsor Limited, a technology-based poultry farm management software company.
The pitch competition formed part of the IMC Conference and Innovation Exhibition, held under the theme, “Nurturing Innovation Ecosystems: Beyond Ideas to Real Impact.”
Speaking at the event, Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Services Officer, IHS Nigeria, Dapo Otunla, said the initiative had grown from its first edition in 2023 into a platform supporting young entrepreneurs.
Otunla said the programme was aimed at helping entrepreneurs develop the knowledge and capacity required to build and expand their businesses.
He said, “When we set out on this Innovation Makers Challenge journey, we knew we were planting a seed. Looking around this room today at the entrepreneurs, the mentors, the policymakers, the investors, and the believers, I can say with confidence that the seed has taken root.”
The Lead Consultant at the TTSWG Secretariat, Bankole Oloruntoba, said the second edition had expanded its focus from two sectors to five, covering health, agriculture, education, climate change and technology.
Oloruntoba said the initiative was designed to support innovation and create opportunities for young entrepreneurs across the sectors.
The conference also featured an innovation exhibition, panel discussions, a fireside chat, business clinics and networking sessions involving startups, investors and industry stakeholders.
The IMC targets Nigerians aged 18 to 35 and seeks to support technology-driven, sustainable business ideas.
The conference was principally sponsored by IHS Towers, with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), MTN, Airtel, Co-Creation Hub, Hydrogen, Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre and Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre listed as partners.
