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The Month of May – PitchStar WFC

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 Startup Kano Newsletter  Breaking Boundaries: Empowering Kano’s Creative Sector with UNDP Greetings, innovators and entrepreneurs! We’re thrilled to bring you the latest updates from Startup Kano, where creativity and innovation are flourishing in both technology and e-commerce. This month, we had the honor of hosting representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as they joined us in exploring how to empower Kano’s creative sector while preserving its unique cultural identity. Together, we embarked on an inspiring journey to transform Kano’s creative landscape and honor its rich heritage. Fostering Innovation and Cultural Richness  The visit by UNDP was a milestone for Startup Kano. We engaged with the vibrant community of creatives and innovators in Kano, discussing strategies and interventions to unlock the potential of the creative industry. With a focus on harnessing technology, we explored ways to enhance the sector and address the challenges it faces. Stay tuned for exciting developments and initiatives resulting from this collaboration! PitchStar WFC 1.0: Empowering Women Founders in Northern Nigeria  We’re thrilled to celebrate the success of our PitchStar WFC 1.0 program! Over the past weeks, 20 exceptional women founders underwent an intensive Pre-Incubation Program, equipping them with essential skills for their ventures. The Demo Day was a glorious finale, where the graduates showcased their groundbreaking business ideas. Connections were forged, collaborations were born, and dreams turned into reality. We congratulate the graduates and look forward to witnessing their achievements in the global startup ecosystem. CohereAIHack Hackathon: Celebrating Innovation and Collaboration  Step into the vibrant world of innovation and collaboration as we reflect on the CohereAIHack Hackathon! With the support of CohereAI, AI Saturday Lagos, and Arewa Data Science Academy, this remarkable event brought together 30 talented hackers from various locations. They harnessed the power of Cohere’s Multilingual Embeddings, pushing the boundaries of AI and creativity. The energy was palpable as teams worked tirelessly, both online and in person, to develop cutting-edge solutions. We celebrate their achievements and the lasting impact they have on Kano’s technology ecosystem. Nigeria’s Technological Advancement and Blockchain Policy  Nigeria’s commitment to technological advancement is evident with the approval of the National Blockchain Policy. This policy sets the stage for the development, innovation, and adoption of blockchain solutions across sectors, positioning Nigeria as a global force in the digital economy. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has been driving awareness and capacity development in blockchain, empowering young Nigerians with the skills to harness its power. Join us in celebrating this milestone and the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s technological landscape. Unlock Your Potential: Self-Evaluation Forms at Startup Kano  At Startup Kano, we believe in empowering our employees to reach new heights of productivity and creativity. That’s why we’ve introduced our cutting-edge self-evaluation forms, a game-changer in tracking progress and fueling personal growth. These forms serve as your compass, guiding you towards a fulfilling career journey. Set goals, assess your growth, and celebrate your accomplishments along the way. Together, we’ll maximize your potential and propel Startup Kano to new heights. Startup Feature: Sal’s Epiphany Studio  In this edition, we highlight the success story of Sal’s Epiphany Studio, founded by Salamatu Adamu. Salamatu, an alumna of Startup Kano’s PitchStar incubation program, shares her journey and growth. Sal’s Epiphany Studio harnesses technology and creativity to create stunning digital artwork and design solutions. Their work has garnered international recognition, and Salamatu’s entrepreneurial spirit is an inspiration to aspiring founders in Kano and beyond. Read the full feature on our website and be inspired by Sal’s Epiphany Studio’s remarkable journey. Call to Action: Join the Creative Revolution!  As Startup Kano continues to break boundaries and empower Kano’s creative sector, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Here’s how you can get involved: Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay updated on the latest news, events, and opportunities within the Kano startup ecosystem. Engage and collaborate: If you’re a creative entrepreneur, innovator, or technologist, reach out and explore collaboration opportunities. Together, we can amplify our impact and drive positive change. Attend our events: Keep an eye out for our upcoming events, workshops, and hackathons. Participate, learn, and network with like-minded individuals who are passionate about technology, innovation, and creativity. Support women founders: We’re committed to empowering women entrepreneurs in Northern Nigeria. If you’re interested in mentorship or investment opportunities, reach out to us and join us in supporting women-led startups. Volunteer or mentor: Share your expertise and make a difference in the Kano startup community. Whether you have technical skills, business acumen, or industry experience, your guidance can help aspiring entrepreneurs thrive. Together, let’s unlock the full potential of Kano’s creative sector, celebrate innovation, and build a thriving ecosystem that combines technology, culture, and entrepreneurship. Join the creative revolution today and be part of Kano’s journey towards a brighter future. Keep innovating, keep dreaming, and keep pushing boundaries! The Startup Kano Team

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April Newsletter – Showcase

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The month of April at Startup kano. Dear valued community members, how was the Eid celebrations? May Allah reward all our acts of Ibadah. We hope this newsletter finds you in good spirits and good health. We have had a busy and exciting month, and we are thrilled to share with you some of the highlights. Firstly, we are thrilled to announce that Startup Kano is the state adoption lead for Kano state in the adoption of the Nigeria Startup Act. This act aims to address the challenges faced by startups and entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, providing them with access to funding, mentorship, and other essential resources. This is a game-changer for the startup and technology ecosystem in Nigeria, and we are excited to work together to build a brighter future for Nigeria’s startup community. Next is to announce the completion of the  Creative Economy Support Programme (CESP)by the  British council, brought to you by Sartup Kano and Wish society.  The CESP is divided into to categories, the craleative showcase and the creative hustle. The events showcased the amazing talents of artists in Kano.  The ‘Creative Showcase’ event, held on Monday, 24th April 2023, featured traditional performances that left the audience mesmerized. TheThe CESP aims to create opportunities for young people to earn a sustainable living from their creativity. Participants like Maryam Salisu Gwamna, an entrepreneur of traditional perfumes, expressed their excitement for the opportunity to showcase their products to new audiences. It’s exciting to see initiatives like this that celebrate Nigeria’s cultural heritage. The Creative Hustle seminar was held on Tuesday, 25th April 2023, with the theme “Reframing Disability and Ensuring Inclusion in the Creative Industry” at Sea Sweet & Bakery, Bompai, Kano. The event offers creatives the opportunity to gain awareness on the range of artistic and inartistic livelihood opportunities available across the creative value sector channels. Followed by an article by Eberechukwu from Technext. Aisha Tofa  founder at Startup Kano talks about her entrepreneurial journey and how Startup Kano has raised over $1 million in funding for various startups, including BRYCOAL, which produces cooking and heating fuel from organic waste. Despite facing resistance in a challenging environment, Aisha persevered and won the 2023 UN Feature Award for promoting innovation and technology for gender equality. Her success story is a source of inspiration for all of us at Start up Kano, aspiring entrepreneurs and women in the tech industry. We are also thrilled to announce that the Pitchstar Women founders cohort has been launched. The program will officially commence on the 2nd of May 2023. Our partnerships and collaborations. Startup Kano and Kano chronicle Join  hands to bring you this months Kano and the future if ecommerce episode. We had an exciting and informative Twitter Space episode on e-commerce payment gateway and business in Kano, Northern Nigeria, with the seasoned IT professional, Idris Muhammad Kabir. He had over 13 years of experience in various industries, making him a master of his craft. As a software engineer, Idris’s expertise in building scalable and fault-tolerant systems shone through as he shared his experiences with developing innovative fintech services, including zain pay.ng, zainmoni.ng, zain POS, and zain Microfinance Bank. In addition, We are thrilled to introduce the Creative Economy E-Learning Programme, designed to help aspiring young African entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses. With free online courses tailored to meet the needs of early-stage entrepreneurs, participants will learn from experienced mentors and industry experts. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of achievement, which can help them stand out in the job market and demonstrate their commitment to entrepreneurship. Government initiatives  Makoyar Fasaha Train-the-Trainer Program. we’re thrilled to see the effort being made to bridge the digital skills gap and create a more inclusive and equitable society. By providing female educators in Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, and Kano states with market-relevant digital skills training, this programme is empowering adolescent girls with the digital skills they need to succeed in the future. It’s a movement that is transforming the way girls learn and empowering them with the tools to break through barriers and reach their full potential. Also the Sokoto State government and seven donor agencies are supporting a cutting-edge digital literacy and livelihood skills training program for adolescent girls in Sokoto state. The program aims to unlock the potential of 50 resilient young girls who have endured unimaginable hardships but refuse to be defined by their past. That’s it for this month’s newsletter. We would like to thank everyone who participated in our events and made them a success. We are committed to continuing our efforts to empower and support entrepreneurs in Northern Nigeria. Stay tuned for more exciting news and events from Startup Kano. If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on all of our latest news and initiatives. Don’t forget to connect with us on all our social media platforms, follow @startupkano on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.  Keep liking and keep sharing. We appreciate your constant attention, please write to us @ emailfor any questions or suggestions. We would love to hear from you.

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Highlight from the Month of March 2023 

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Ecommerce and technology activities in the Kano ecosystem. Show me an excellent month and I’d show you this month. Nigeria’s technology ecosystem is experiencing a remarkable transformation with a focus on innovation, inclusivity, and government support. From the launch of different government and Non government programs to initiatives promoting gender inclusion, Nigeria is positioning itself as a leading player in the global tech industry in Africa. The future is bright for the country’s tech scene, and we can expect more exciting developments to come. Here is a run down of the events that made this month so Fulfilling both  for  Kano’s tech ecosystem and Startup Kano Hub. Blue Sapphire Hub Empowers Women Entrepreneurs with Graphic Design for Business Class in Partnership with ANWE4HER” Breaking Barriers and Designing a Better Future One Pixel at a Time: Blue Sapphire Hub Supports Women Entrepreneurs with Graphic Design for Business Class” We’re thrilled to hear about the amazing work being done by the Blue Sapphire Hub in promoting entrepreneurship, capacity building, and technology in Africa. Their recent class on graphic design for business, specifically tailored to the Women on Wednesday Sokoto (WOW) cohort 1.0, is a prime example of the organization’s dedication to empowering women entrepreneurs in Africa. The WOW program, launched in partnership with the Association of Northern Women Entrepreneurs (ANWE4HER),  was held on the 22nd of March. It offers business development training and capacity building to women entrepreneurs, and we applaud Blue Sapphire Hub for their efforts in helping to bridge the gender gap in technology and entrepreneurship.             By providing opportunities for women to enhance their skills in areas such as graphic design, Blue Sapphire Hub is helping to create a future where creativity knows no bounds, and women are breaking barriers to build successful businesses and design a better future, one pixel at a time. Kudos to Blue Sapphire Hub and all the shortlisted WOW beneficiaries for their commitment to innovation and empowerment in Africa. Kano Chronicle Sparks Ecommerce Revolution: Guest Speaker Abdulkadir Nuhu Shares Insights on Warehousing and Logistics. Startup Kano and Kano Chronicle , a Twitter based hub that pioneers promoting history, tourism, outsourcing, governance, development, and investment for better civic engagement in Kano, Joined hands to host their latest Twitter event Kano and the future of ecommerce. Featuring guest speaker Abdulkadir Nuhu, General Manager at Sanda Ruwa, the event offered a unique opportunity to discuss the challenges of warehousing and logistics in business and how to overcome them. The insights shared by Nuhu were incredibly valuable, and we’re thrilled to see both Startup Kano and Kano Chronicle fostering a platform for critical conversations that will help shape Kano’s future. This event, held on March 31st, is part of a monthly series that promises to unlock new opportunities for Kano’s growth and development. It’s a thing of Joy to note that both Startup Kano and Kano Chronicle are dedicated to driving innovation, investment, and development in Kano. With initiatives like this, Kano is sure to become a hub for ecommerce, economic growth, and job creation. We’re looking forward to future events and discussions on topics that are essential to Kano’s success. Click here to see the latest Kano and the future of ecommerce event Revolutionizing Digital Literacy: NITDA Graduates 200 Women from #Ginamataginnaalumma Program In a world where digital skills are becoming increasingly important, NITDA and the World Bank are taking bold steps to empower women in Nigeria with the tools they need to succeed in the digital age. The #Ginamataginaalummahdigital literacy initiative is one such program that aims to equip women with digital content creation skills, and the recent closing ceremony of the program was nothing short of inspiring. During the four-day program, participants had the opportunity to learn critical skills that are essential for thriving in the digital economy. From content creation to digital marketing, the program covered a range of topics that are in high demand in today’s tech-driven world  The Director General of NITDA, Kashifa Inuwa CIEE, delivered a powerful closing remark, urging the participants to use their newfound knowledge to build a robust digital economy in Nigeria. We believe that initiatives like this are crucial for promoting gender equality in the tech industry and bridging the digital divide. We congratulate the 200 women who graduated from #Ginnamataginnaalummah program and commend NITDA and World Bank for their commitment to digital literacy. As we move towards a more digitally-driven future, programs like this will be critical in ensuring that no one is left behind. The Nigerian startup act takes center stage in Kano for the State Adoption of the Act.  Startup Kano takes the lead in revolutionizing Nigeria’s Digital Landscape; The Nigerian startup act is an exciting and ambitious project that aims to position Nigeria as a leading digital tech hub in Africa. This act is the collective effort of stakeholders in Nigeria’s technical system and the presidency, who have analyzed the potential of our digital economy and recognized the need for a legal and institutional framework for the development of startups in Nigeria. The act’s primary objective is to create an enabling environment for the establishment and operation of startups in Nigeria. This environment will foster the growth of technology-related talents, promote innovation, and encourage cutting-edge skills and capacity development. By doing so, the act will position the Nigerian startup ecosystem as a force to be reckoned with in the African tech space. The benefits of the Nigerian Startup Act are endless. It will attract local and foreign investments, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the economic growth of Nigeria. By empowering startups to thrive, the act will unleash a wave of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship that will shape the future of Nigeria’s digital economy. The Act was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 19th of October, 2022. Over 30 leaders in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem contributed to its drafting between June and September 2021. As Startup Kano takes on the role of the state adoption lead for Kano State, it’s an

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