#StartupSouth

Twenty years ago, Port Harcourt based Cinfores Limited began as a pioneering EdTech company, distributing their solutions via compact discs. Over time, they evolved into providers of online examination and scholarship management infrastructure solutions for tertiary and corporate institutions. Today, they are the leading provider of public systems digitalization solutions in Nigeria, offering services such as judiciary and jurisprudence information management for multiple state governments and courts. Cinfores has been largely bootstrapped with no major outside investment and they are profitable. If Asawo Ibifuro pursued this venture in a traditional Startup style, they probably should be (or nearing) unicorn 🦄 status by now. In this short clip from #StartupSouth9, Ibifuro Asawo, CEO & Co-founder, shares the company’s remarkable journey. Watch the full video on the #StartupSouth YouTube page.

🚀 "Nigeria needs 'reverse Japa'!" — Yen C. Co-Founder of ChipLab, shares a bold vision in this clip from his speech at #StartupSouth9. Choi draws a powerful comparison between today’s semiconductor industry and the BPO boom of the '90s, which transformed India’s economy. He believes Nigeria can follow that playbook by creating an *exportable chip design industry*, unlocking opportunities that keep talent at home and position the country as a global innovation hub. 🇳🇬✨ This isn’t just about reversing brain drain — it’s about building an ecosystem where staying becomes more rewarding than leaving. See an abridged version of his speech here 🚀 "Nigeria needs 'reverse Japa'!" — Yen Choi, Co-Founder of ChipLab, shares a bold vision in this clip from his speech at #StartupSouth9. Choi draws a powerful comparison between today’s semiconductor industry and the BPO boom of the '90s, which transformed India’s economy. He believes Nigeria can follow that playbook by creating an *exportable chip design industry*, unlocking opportunities that keep talent at home and position the country as a global innovation hub. 🇳🇬✨ This isn’t just about reversing brain drain — it’s about building an ecosystem where staying becomes more rewarding than leaving. 🎥 His full speech will Premiere on our YouTube Channel on Tuesday at 7:15PM (WAT) RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/e5N8Kfx3 #Innovation #ReverseJapa #Semiconductors #TechForGrowth #StartupSouth

Success is not a destination; it's a continuous journey of learning and discovery. By staying curious and constantly seeking new knowledge, you open doors to innovation, growth, and endless opportunities. 🤩 Join Us #StartupSouth Community via bit.ly/joins2c #Inspiration #Innovation #Creativity #startupsouth9

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to attend the StartupSouth9 conference. #StartupSouth is a reputable brand dedicated to helping startups within the South-South and South-East ecosystem in Nigeria thrive. Each year, they connect investors to founders through this conference and provide actionable insights from international business leaders to drive the digital and creative economy forward. One of the highlights of this conference was the breakout session on "The Future of Work," led by Harry Porbeni. Here are a few key takeaways: - Workplaces are increasingly prioritizing skills and value over educational backgrounds and class of degree. Some ways to gain relevant skills include volunteering, internships, and apprenticeships, which can significantly enhance one’s value - The 4Fs employee should prioritize are: Flexibility, Fulfillment, Financial Stability, and Fairness. - Understanding how to effectively leverage AI in your field is essential for driving efficiency and productivity in today’s rapidly evolving workplace. Overall, it was a fantastic experience for me, and I look forward to applying the insights gained moving forward! #StartupSouth #Startup #Innovation #SkillsDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #AI #SouthSouth #SouthEast #techevent

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking at and moderating a session at Moonshot by TechCabal. One of the standout moments was reconnecting with Malobi Ogbechie. Malobi shared an inspiring story about how a piece of advice I gave him two years ago during one of our Founders meetups reshaped his entrepreneurial journey. Back then, he was leveraging his extensive experience in freight forwarding and exploring ways to support micro-exporters. I encouraged him to validate his business offline before going digital. Today, Malobi’s venture, Kadankadan—a Port Harcourt-based logistics-tech company that’s driving export accessibility—is thriving, with a growing client base across Port Harcourt and Lagos. And the best part? They’re gearing up to launch version 1 of their tech solution! Huge congratulations to Malobi and the entire Kadankadan team—your success story truly brightened my day. I believe that Africa's Startup ecosystem will benefit from experienced professionals with extensive knowledge in different sectors getting involved. In other exciting news, I’m thrilled to announce that we have just 3 slots left for Cohort 2 of Scale with Uche Aniche (SwUA 2.0)! 🚀 SwUA is a dynamic 12-week program modelled after TD's Mentor Pitch starting in early November and running through January 2025. It’s designed to help seasoned professionals with deep domain expertise transform their ideas into high-growth ventures while connecting them with the right resources and investor networks. If you’re ready to take your vision to the next level, don’t miss this opportunity. Let’s build the next big thing—together! Please note that it's a paid program - suitable for working professionals who desire to learn how to build a Startup. Leave a comment below if interested and I will share next steps.

WE'RE GRATEFUL! We wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who supported and attended #StartupSouth9 Conference ! Your enthusiasm, energy, and engagement made this conference truly unforgettable. We're thrilled to have shared this experience with you and can't wait to see the impact of the connections and ideas sparked. Thank you to: Our amazing speakers for sharing their expertise Our sponsors for their generous support Our volunteers for their tireless efforts And most importantly, YOU - our attendees - for being part of this vibrant community! Stay connected, keep innovating, and we'll see you next year! #StartupSouth9 #ThankYou #Gratitude #Community #Innovation #Entrepreneurship

The amazing team behind #StartUpSouth9

Congratulations to the top 3 winners of the Xend Finance Hackerthon Eden Finance with $1000 Safe launch with $750 And FLLOW with $500

Garden City Premier Business School discussing innovating for Growth #StartUpSouth9 Conference Day 2.

Technology in Nigeria has really grown so fast and waters down the notion that AI has really taken people's jobs but instead has aided in speedy achievements in any area we venture in. #StartUpSouth 9