Four Tech Startups Receives N20 Million Grant from NCC

Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has awarded a total sum of twenty million Naira to four tech startups. The four tech startups are Clearflow System Hub, Aelaus Engineering Teams/Hyech Electronics Solutions, Kalibotics, and CyberNorth Tech.

The four startups were the winners of the third edition of the NCC-sponsored Virtual Internet of Things (IoT) Code Camp and Hackathon 2021. On the 5th of September 2021, NCC had announced application for 2021 Hackathon. Out of the series of applications submitted, the commission singled out the most exceptional four and applauded them for their innovative technology solutions aimed at making life better for Nigerians.

Each startup received five million Naira at a prize-giving event that was held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

According to the commission, the first two, Clearflow System Hub; and Aelaus Engineering Teams/Hyech Electronics Solutions, emerged winners on IoT category on Kidnapping and banditry. On the other hand, Kalibotics and CyberNorth Tech, emerged winners on assistive robotics for effective e-waste management solutions.

The grant was aimed at finding innovative digital solutions in addressing the challenges of insecurity and to stem growth in national e-waste rates while advancing the frontier of Internet of Things (IoT) in Nigeria, the commission hinted.

Speaking at the Prize-winning ceremony the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta represented by Dr. Haru Alhassan, Director, New Media and Information Security of NCC gave further insight into the essence of the grant.

“The initiative is in line with the objectives of Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) 2020 and the NCC’s Strategic Vision plan (SVP) 2021-2025 which is to promote innovative services and maintain effective partnership and collaborations with relevant stakeholders,” Dr Haru said.

Another speaker at the event, Kelechi Nwankwo, the Head of NCC Research and Development underscored the commission’s determination towards utilising the potentials of Nigeria Youths in tackling emerging challenges through ICT.

The commission said it awarded the grant to the four deserving startups in furtherance of its commitment to encourage the development of new indigenous technologies and contents oriented in cutting-edge research and stimulating economic growth.