The Nigeria Communications Commission granted N10 million each to three technology startups in Abuja on Thursday.
The Punch reported that the three companies were the winners of the NCC 2023 talent hunt research through hackathon’s several categories, with a total of 12 tech startups making the shortlist – four in each category.
The three categories were assistive technology solutions for the elderly and individuals with disabilities, blockchain-enabled data protection solutions for improving regulatory compliance, and renewable energy technology solutions in rural areas.
Knownow Africa Limited won the blockchain thematic category, Solaris GreenTech won the renewable energy solutions category, and Specx Care Limited won the assistive technology category.
The remaining startups on the shortlist in each category received N500,000 each.
The NCC Executive Commissioner Technical Services, Ubale Maska, said at the hackathon’s closing ceremony in Abuja that the Commission would adopt a comprehensive strategy to support the inventions beyond financial aid by closely monitoring their progress as they mature into fully functional prototypes.
The Director of the Research and Development Department, Mr Ismail Adedigba, represented Maska.
He added that the hackathon would be preceded by an incubation and mentorship program aimed at providing businesses, inventors, and tech entrepreneurs with the skills needed to enhance their ideas.
“This phase includes critical aspects such as determining product-market fit, navigating intellectual property challenges, and developing robust business plans,” he stated.
“Furthermore, it allows us to assess the impact that these grants and prizes have had on the recipients and the industry.”
He went on to say that the NCC successfully implemented all three winning proposals from the 2020 Hackathon.
