South East Commission names 25 startup winners for $50m venture capital programme
The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has selected 25 startups across sectors for support under its innaugural $50 million Venture Capital Programme aimed at building a stronger innovation-driven economy in the region.
The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has selected 25 startups across sectors for support under its innaugural $50 million Venture Capital Programme aimed at building a stronger innovation-driven economy in the region.
The Commission had launched the $50 million South East Venture Capital Program (SEVCP) ik March to expand access to capital for startups in the region.
It announced the winners of the Pitch Competition on Thursday which featured some of the most promising startups and emerging businesses from across the region, spanning sectors including healthcare, artificial intelligence, clean energy, mobility, agriculture, fintech, legal technology, commerce, logistics, education technology, and public infrastructure innovation.
According to the Commission, the SEVCP was structured across two tracks: an Incubator Track and an Accelerator Track. The Incubator Track supported early-stage startups with foundational business support and venture readiness, while the Accelerator Track focused on more mature startups with scalable business models and stronger market traction. Following an evaluation process 10 startups emerged from the Incubator Track, while 15 startups emerged from the Accelerator Track.
The startups selected under the Accelerator Track included: Ondigo Technologies Limited, Skilladder, KIRA AI LIMITED, RapidMedicare Limited, SmartAirs, Bra-X, Stur Africa, Nigenius, SpaceOps, FLOF CO, Case Radar, Smart Transport Grid Ltd (STRAG), 8Bit Digital Systems Limited, CLIMAX GREEN (AGROFUXION), and Afiari.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Mark Okoye II, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the South East Development Commission, stated that the South East Venture Capital Program is not merely a startup competition but a long-term economic development strategy designed to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of the region and strengthen the pipeline of investable businesses emerging from the South East.
Okoye said the selected startups will receive a combination of financial support, business advisory services, investor access, mentorship, technical support, ecosystem partnerships, and post-program growth opportunities aimed at helping them scale sustainably and become investment-ready enterprises.
The SEDC also reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration with venture capital firms, development institutions, innovation hubs, academic institutions, corporate partners, and ecosystem stakeholders to deepen entrepreneurial opportunities and innovation-driven economic growth across
The Commission noted that the SEVCP represents the beginning of a broader long-term strategy to catalyze innovation-led growth, strengthen enterprise development, and build a more prosperous and globally competitive South East economy through strategic investment in talent, technology, and entrepreneurship.
