Programmes – Page 2 – Startup Kano

NFC Monthly Meetup: Connect, Collaborate, Innovate

The Northern Founders Community (NFC) continues to foster innovation and entrepreneurship through its monthly meetups in Kano and Zaria. These gatherings bring together founders, talents, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to network, learn, and explore potential partnerships and business opportunities. The most recent meetup, held on May 30, 2024, at the Twin Theatre in Maryam Abacha American University Nigeria (MAAUN), was no exception. Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Haruna of MAAUN started with an opening ceremony, featuring a warm welcome. His remarks emphasized the significance of community and collaboration in shaping the future of Northern Nigeria’s tech scene About NFC and Partner Introductions Mustapha Salihu provided an insightful overview of the Northern Founders Community, detailing its mission, vision, and the critical role it plays in the regional startup ecosystem. He also introduced NFC’s esteemed partners, highlighting their contributions to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial environment. Startup Finance and Building Ubaidurrahman Sulaiman delivered a compelling talk on the intricacies of startup finance and building. Drawing from his experience as the CEO of Brycoal, he shared practical advice on securing funding, managing financial resources, and scaling startups effectively. His session was particularly valuable for budding entrepreneurs looking to navigate the financial challenges of startup life. Prospect for Northern Startup Space Umar Faruk joined the meetup virtually and provided an optimistic outlook on the future of the northern startup ecosystem. As the co-founder of Sparklab, he offered a unique perspective on the region’s potential for growth and innovation. His insights into emerging trends and opportunities left the audience inspired and eager to contribute to the region’s burgeoning tech landscape. iLearn Platform A standout moment of the meetup was the launch of the iLearn platform by a team of talented students from MAAUN’s School of Computing. This innovative platform aims to provide accessible educational resources, underscoring the critical role of technology in enhancing education. The launch was met with applause and excitement, signaling strong support for student-led initiatives. Need for Strong PR Summaya Tofa, the creative director of The Meraki, emphasized the importance of strong public relations for startups. Her session highlighted strategies for building a compelling brand narrative, engaging with media, and leveraging PR to enhance visibility and credibility. For many in the audience, her talk provided actionable takeaways on how to effectively promote their ventures. The Northern Perspective Representatives of Zainpay discussed their innovative payment solutions and how they are tailored to meet the needs of the northern market. Their discussion showcased the potential of fintech in driving financial inclusion and supporting local businesses. The meetup concluded with closing remarks from Aida Isah El-Hassan, the Hub Manager of Startup Kano. She recapped the day’s key points, expressed gratitude to all speakers and participants, and encouraged ongoing collaboration and networking beyond the event. The NFC Monthly Meetup exemplifies the spirit of innovation and collaboration that is essential for driving the future of Northern Nigeria’s tech industry. With the support of partners like Startup Kano, these events provide invaluable opportunities for learning, networking, and growth. As the community continues to connect, collaborate, and innovate, the prospects for the northern startup ecosystem look brighter than ever.

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Design Thinking Session for the Citizen Reporting Cross-Platform (CRC)

Programmes, Startup Kano Activities / admin

On the 29th of May, 2024, Startup Kano hosted an insightful design thinking session as part of the ongoing development of the Citizen Reporting Cross-Platform (CRC) project. The event was held at Startup Kano hub to engage the invited guests in a meaningful discussion about the current problems facing the state and explore potential solutions through the design of the CRC platform. Here’s a recap of the event. Startup Kano is known for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The ambiance was charged with excitement and anticipation as participants gathered to contribute their ideas and insights toward shaping the CRC platform. The session began with opening remarks from Yomi Sani, the HR at Startup Kano and the lead of the CRC project. Yomi highlighted the significance of the CRC project in empowering citizens and improving community governance. He welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of their contributions in designing a platform that addresses real local issues effectively. An Interactive Session Usman Fori, a seasoned facilitator, took the stage next and immediately captured the audience’s attention with his dynamic approach. He began by outlining the objectives of the session, emphasizing the importance of understanding the local issues that citizens face daily. Fori encouraged active participation from all attendees, stressing that their input was crucial in designing a platform that truly addresses the community’s needs. His session moved into a collective brainstorming phase where participants were invited to share their experiences and observations regarding local issues. This collaborative environment allowed for a wide range of problems to be identified, from sanitation concerns to security issues, bureaucratic inefficiencies and many more. The diverse backgrounds of the attendees provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by the community. Tailoring the CRC to Local Needs With a clear understanding of the current problems, Usman guided the group through the process of ideating potential solutions. He introduced various design thinking techniques, encouraging participants to think creatively and practically about how the CRC platform could be designed to address these issues. Ideas flowed freely, and lively discussions ensued as attendees proposed features and functionalities that would make the platform effective and user-friendly. A Collaborative Effort for a Better Community The event concluded with closing remarks from Amina Idris Ibrahim, a training expert at Startup Kano. Amina thanked all the participants for their valuable input and active engagement. She reiterated the importance of community collaboration in the success of the CRC project and expressed optimism about the positive impact this initiative would have on local governance and community improvement. The design thinking session at Startup Kano was a resounding success. The session not only identified key local issues but also generated innovative ideas for incorporating solutions into the CRC platform. As we move forward, the insights gained from this session will play a pivotal role in shaping the CRC project. By incorporating the community’s input, we can develop a platform that truly empowers citizens, fosters community improvement, and enhances communication with local authorities.

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Empowering Communities through the Citizen Reporting Cross-Platform (CRC) Project – The Stakeholders’ Engagement

Programmes, Startup Kano Activities / admin

On the 23rd of May, 2024, an important stakeholders’ engagement was held to further the development of the Citizen Reporting Cross-Platform (CRC) project. This initiative aims to create a user-friendly system for citizens to report local issues, fostering community improvement and enhancing communication with local authorities. The event, held by invitation only, gathered key stakeholders to discuss civic engagement, user requirements, and platform features. Here’s a breakdown of the event’s highlights. Role of Startup Kano in fostering innovation The event commenced with a warm welcome from Aida Isa, the Hub Manager at Startup Kano. Aida set the tone for the day, emphasizing the significance of the CRC project in bridging the information gap between citizens and local authorities. She highlighted the role of Startup Kano in fostering innovation and supporting initiatives that drive positive change in the community. Objectives of the CRC project Following Aida’s welcome remarks, Amina Idris provided a detailed briefing about Startup Kano, the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), and the CRC project. Amina explained how Startup Kano serves as a hub for young innovators and entrepreneurs, offering them resources and support to bring their ideas to life. She also discussed the role of NYFF in funding youth-led initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development in Nigeria. She concluded with the objectives of the CRC project, outlining its mission to create a seamless reporting system for local issues, thereby enhancing community engagement and governance. Good Governance, Community Engagement, and Accountability The next segment featured an enlightening presentation by Mr. Farid Ilo, Head of the Political Science Department at Skyline University. Mr. Ilo spoke passionately about the importance of good governance, community engagement, and accountability. He highlighted how the CRC project aligns with these principles by providing a platform for citizens to voice their concerns and hold authorities accountable. Mr. Ilo emphasized that true democracy thrives when citizens are actively involved in the governance process, and tools like the CRC are essential in facilitating this involvement. Our Government Yusuf Sharada, the Senior Special Assistant on ICT to the Kano State Governor, provided valuable insights into the government’s perspective. He discussed upcoming projects by the Kano State government, highlighting how these initiatives align with the goals of the CRC project. Sharada emphasized the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance governance, improve service delivery, and ensure that citizens’ voices are heard. His presentation underscored the importance of collaboration between the government and the community in achieving sustainable development An Interactive session The event concluded with an engaging group discussion where all attendees shared their input and perspectives on the CRC project. This interactive session was designed to gather diverse viewpoints on how citizens can actively participate in community affairs. Participants discussed the user requirements and platform features necessary to make the CRC project a success. The lively discussion underscored the importance of collaboration and community input in shaping a platform that truly meets the needs of its users. The stakeholders’ engagement was a resounding success. The event provided a valuable opportunity for participants to contribute to a transformative project that empowers citizens and builds stronger, more responsive communities. As we move forward, the insights and feedback gathered will be instrumental in refining the CRC platform and ensuring its effectiveness in fostering community improvement and enhancing communication with local authorities. Together, let’s work toward a future where every citizen’s voice is heard and every community is empowered.

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