The Startup Launchpad Accelerator program by Optimus Digital Future and The Nest Innovation Technology Park capped off an intensive three-week journey with a high-energy Demo Day, during which five promising startups showcased their innovative solutions.
During the three-week program, 15 founders were exposed to knowledge on leveraging AI for their respective ventures, including AI-powered product development strategies, AI tools and frameworks, and practical insights on integrating AI into business operations.
Founders also received mentorship from experienced professionals on AI and Intellectual Property, Product Development, Legal and Compliance, Market Access, and Growth.
On the Demo Day, the five standout ventures – GoPrudy, InternPulse, Presibo, KenEI Health, and VeriTalent, delivered compelling pitches to a panel of esteemed judges and an engaged audience, culminating in the announcement of the three top winners.
Setting the tone, the Demo Day started with a keynote speech by Feyisayo Alayande. Executive Secretary, LSETF, ably represented by Adekunle Oyenekan, Head, Risk Management, Monitoring, and Internal Control, LSETF.
“This demo day marks not only a milestone for the brilliant founders but also for Lagos state as we begin to strengthen our entrepreneurship ecosystem. Our partnership with Optimus Digital Future and the NEST will further drive the application of AI by startups in Lagos state.
AI is no longer a future concept but a disruptive application for today’s businesses. Startups are not just building for themselves but creating solutions that will cross boundaries. Our goal is to support entrepreneurs and enhance scalable ideas, such as ones that leverage AI,” said Feyisayo.
The five selected startups from diverse industries took the stage to present their solutions, demonstrating their progress, market potential, and disruptive ideas, much to the delight of the expert panel and attendees.
Following the pitches, there was a thought-provoking panel discussion around the impact of AI on the startup/technology ecosystem, featuring two industry experts, Lanre Basamta – CEO/Co-founder, Optimus AI Labs, and Ifeyinwa Egwaoje – Project Manager, Young Africa Innovates, UNDP.
The session, which was moderated by Moyinoluwa Okedusi, Country Lead, Optimus Digital Future, discussed key trends, challenges, and opportunities of AI technology and the future of innovation. The conversation provided valuable insights for both founders and attendees.
The highlight of the Demo Day was the announcement of the top three winners, who stood out for their innovative solutions, scalability, and market readiness. Their success marks a significant milestone in their entrepreneurial journey and opens doors to further mentorship, funding opportunities, and industry partnerships.
After careful deliberation, the judges – Glory Ogbebor, Head of Operations, RLabs Nigeria; Damilola Obidairo, CEO, 8th Gear Partners; and Oluwajoba Oloba, Co-founder The Nest Innovation Technology Park awarded the top three positions to:
Winner – GoPrudy (Ayomide Asekun)
GoPrudy is on a mission to empower Africans for financial independence and wealth management with the power of AI through AI-powered wealth management and budgeting/finance tracking.
According to the founder, budgeting is like an exercise with benefits and a struggle to keep up with. The struggle comes from effectively tracking expenses.
The startup wants to solve this challenge with creating a flexible budget and robust categorization, tracking expenses by linking to all bank accounts, and insightful analytics to keep you abreast of your spending patterns.
Prudy helps you divide your income into different spending wallets, so you always know where your money is going.
First Runner-up – InternPulse (John Diginee)
According to this startup, more than 400,000 African aspiring tech talents struggle to secure their first job or opportunity in tech due to a lack of experience or evidence of skills.
InternPulse wants to change this struggle by helping them gain real world working experience through helping aspiring software developers, product designers, and product managers gather enough evidence of skills, learn how to work in teams, deal with pressure, quickly expand their knowledge, network effectively, and discover unique ways to make money with their skills.
As explained by the founder, the startup has served over 400 techies from countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, the United States, Germany, Ghana, Uganda, United Kingdom, Lesotho, Canada, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, and Malawi.
Second Runner-up – VeriTalent (Ayodeji Adewusi)
VeriTalent wants to redefine how talent is evaluated, validated, and connected to opportunities.
Leveraging AI-powered algorithms and blockchain-backed credentials, the platform automates the process of verifying competencies, work experiences, accomplishments, and recommendations, helping individuals showcase their unique value while enabling organizations to make smarter, data-driven workforce decisions.
According to the founder, the product can consolidate, showcase verified achievements and skills, automate and authenticate recommendations, work experiences and qualifications as well as share credentials with potential employers, collaborators or institutions.
The Startup Launchpad Accelerator continues to empower early-stage founders with mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities.
To learn more about the participating startups or future initiatives from Optimus Digital Future programs, visit www.optimusdf.org