Microsoft Corporation awarded prizes to three Nigerian startups, Trekscotters, Helgg and Celloop, in its recent e-vehicle hackathon.
The event was jointly organized by Microsoft Nigeria and Get Funded Africa at the Microsoft Africa Development Center in Lagos recently.
The hackathon provided a platform for entrepreneurs, engineers, and innovators to demonstrate their potential to revolutionize the EV landscape.
Among the outstanding winners was Esther Ehindero, co-founder of Trekscotters, whose IoT platform makes scooters easily accessible to college students and residents of densely populated areas.
Ehindero secured the top spot and won a cash prize of 3 million naira for his breakthrough innovation.
Following closely behind was Helgg’s Johnson Jaiyeola. The company’s IoT application aims to support the EV needs of clustered communities in Lagos.
Jaiyeola was awarded N1.5m.
Celloop’s Lolade Amonge, a startup focused on recycling used batteries for efficient reuse, came third and received 500,000 Naira.
Other participants include Omoseni Alex from GreenMiles, a pay-as-you-go battery replacement solution for EVs, and Ola Olawuyi and Titi Masha from Mobilita, a platform specializing in the conversion of traditional motorcycles and three-wheelers to EVs. was included.
The judges for the EV hackathon were Temitope Edun, project executive at OANDO Clean Energy. Olaniyi Aisida, Director of Business Development and Government Relations; Samuel Ahanor, CEO of Magnus Samuel Limited; others.
Speaking on behalf of the jury, Mr. Edun said, “Nigeria is where great ideas are born and MSADC is where they flourish.”
She encouraged all participants to continue working, collaborating with others, and persevering despite obvious socio-economic constraints.
During the evaluation of his pitches, Ahanoor urged participants to prepare for government regulation as the industry begins to evolve and grow.
He said there was a need to work with the Nigeria Automotive Development Center to align with government standards and frameworks to avoid future challenges in the growing industry.
Speaking at the event, ADC Innovation Leader Nkem Nweke said the innovators are a testament to the capabilities of Nigerians.
He noted that these developers are building the future backbone of the e-mobility space for Africans, by Africans.
He added that while 80% of Africans are at the “bottom of the pyramid” when it comes to socio-economic realities, “we are looking at solutions that are available to urban and local populations.”
