Challenge

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Three student-owned startups have emerged as winners of the inaugural Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge. The startups, all operating out of the University of Lagos (UniLag) were announced during the 4th Annual Students Entrepreneurship Program, a one-day session which featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to equip future business leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to foster SME growth and innovation. 
The winners include Craft by Leemart, a customizable fashion brand founded by Halimat Ajoke Ariyo; SafeMom, a maternal healthcare startup founded by Michael Kolade Sunmoni and Saanumi Oluwaseun Joshua; and UNISHOP, a retail-as-a-service startup founded by Bukunmi Ransome-Kuti and Israel Olasupo. 
The innovation challenge, an initiative of the Management Students Association, University of Lagos, was launched in a bid to build a supportive environment for innovation and create new pathways for a future where prosperity is inclusive, opportunities abound, and where the entrepreneurial spirit thrives. 
Speaking to the rationale for the Challenge, Group Chief Executive Officer, <a href="https://moniepoint.com/ng/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Moniepoint</a> Tosin Eniolorunda, represented at the event by Head of Partnerships, Efemena Ogie, noted that small businesses are vehicles for innovation and problem-solving and that empowering them isn’t merely a strategic imperative but a moral obligation toward ensuring sustainable and inclusive prosperity for all. He added that the initiative resonated strongly with him considering his own early beginnings as an undergraduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University where he was solving problems for his peers on campus. 
“This initiative aligns with our vision of powering dreams and being critical enablers for the growth of the SMES across Nigeria. We have seen first-hand the transformative power of innovation and problem-solving as pivotal building blocks for unlocking value, considering that the world belongs to dreamers and doers. Our growth has been driven by our ability to listen to the customers as well as providing innovative solutions to the challenges they have faced,” he said. 
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 Tosin Eniolorunda, founder of Moniepoint
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He further noted that dreams and passions are the fundamental instruments for entrepreneurial activities and the drive to provide financial happiness for all Nigerians has kept them going. This Innovation Challenge is therefore a solid platform to help more dreamers move their innovative ideas into becoming tangible ventures that can increase their contribution to the broader economy. 
<h4 id="meet-the-winners-of-the-tosin-eniolorunda-challenge" class="wp-block-heading">Meet the winners of the Tosin Eniolorunda Challenge</h4> 
The winners were selected after preliminary rounds by an expert panel of judges drawn from the business and technology ecosystem including industry leaders such as Gabriel Balogun, Head of Learning and Development, Moniepoint Inc, Katherine Adesomoju, CEO, Spectrum Holdings, Samuel Olatunde, CEO/Founder, Edala Homes, and Adeola Sanusi, CEO/Founder, XL Homes. 
The evaluation was based on key metrics including market potential, understanding of financial management, growth plans, and business value/competitiveness of the proposed solution and the quality of the presentation and delivery. After a rigorous selection process, five finalists emerged to present their ideas to a distinguished panel of judges, with the final winners announced as follows: 
Winner: Craft by Leemart 
Founded by Halimat Ajoke Ariyo, Craft by Leemart is a fashion leather brand creating high-quality, customized products – footwear, customized bracelets, wallets, belts, journals and other products with quality leather with a focus on customer satisfaction and personalized experiences. 
First Runner-up: SafeMom 
Founded by Michael Kolade Sunmoni and Saanumi Oluwaseun Joshua, SafeMom is a healthtech startup addressing maternal mortality by connecting expectant mothers with healthcare resources through an innovative digital platform. These include 24/7 access to healthcare experts, educational resources on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. and support groups. 
Second Runner-up: UNISHOP 
Founded by Bukunmi Ransome-Kuti and Israel Olasupo, UNISHOP is a retail-as-a-service platform empowering student entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses within the campus ecosystem. It offers basic listings and premium shop pages to drive visibility and marketing for student businesses to thrive in the campus marketplace. 
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 Challenge winner
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Speaking about her victory, SafeMom founder and first prize winner, Halimat Ariyo who went home with 1 million naira in prize money said: “I’d like to thank Moniepoint and Mr Eniolorunda for this opportunity and the cash incentive. I am energized to take my business to the next level and the world would know my name.” 
The winners will get seed funding or funds to upscale their ventures (for already existing businesses). They will also be provided mentoring initiatives, workshops and training sessions to participants who are committed to identifying problems and proffering solutions as well as making a great impact in their communities. 
See also: <a href="https://technext24.com/2024/07/30/8th-class-of-google-startups-accelerator/">Meet the 10 startups selected for the 8th Cohort of Google’s Startups Accelerator Africa</a> 
The Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge is identifying promising small businesses on campus and providing valuable training and exposure to them underscores the importance of nurturing young talent and fostering innovation for Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement while validating Moniepoint’s commitment to support entrepreneurship, and position young Nigerians for global relevance.
The post <a href="https://technext24.com/2024/08/06/tosin-eniolorunda-winners-unilag-emerge/">3 UniLag-based startups emerge winners of inaugural Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge</a> first appeared on <a href="https://technext24.com">Technext</a>.

3 UniLag-based startups emerge winners of inaugural Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge

Technext.ng

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