The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has awarded N30 million prize to three startups at the grand finale of its three-day 2023 Talent Hunt Research through the Hackathon to enhance their research capabilities.
The commission’s Executive Commissioner of Technical Services, Ubale Maska, who was represented by NCC’s Director of Research and Development, Ismail Adedigba, said the three winners were awarded N10 million each.
He listed the winners as Solaris Greentech, which won the renewable energy thematic area; Knownow Africa Blockchain, which won the blockchain thematic area; while Specxcare Limited won the assistive tech thematic area.
Marka, who also disclosed that nine other startups were also awarded N500,000 each for their hard work and participation in the competition, recalled that the commission had actively promoted the Hackathon competitions with thematic focus on addressing the challenges within the nation’s telecom industries and society as a whole.
According to him, the NCC’s initiative has continued to offer innovative solutions for issues such as kidnapping and banditry, E-waste management, and strategies to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic.
The Director listed the three areas of focus of this year’s completion as including blockchain-enabled data protection solutions for enhancing regulatory compliance, assistive technology solutions for the elderly and people with disabilities, technology solutions for renewable energy in rural areas.
He explained that the Hackathon 202 would be preceded by an incubation and mentorship programme designed to equip startups, inventors and tech entrepreneurs with the necessary skills to refine their ideas followed by the adoption of Digital Innovative Services and Products stemming from the Hackathons.
Maska maintained that the telecom industry regulatory commission adopted all the three winning solutions from 2020 hackathon, which were carefully designed to combat pandemics and epidemics that threatened the nation.
He further clarified: “The Hackathon will be preceded by an Incubation and Mentorship Programme, which will be designed to equip startups, innovators and tech entrepreneurs with the necessary skills to refine their ideas.
“This phase encompasses critical aspects such as determining product-market fit, navigating intellectual property challenges, and constructing robust business plans.
“Additionally, it offers us the opportunity to gauge the impact that these grants and prizes have had on the beneficiaries and the industry.
“This year’s event focuses on three pivotal thematic areas, those that not only pertain to our great nation but also resonate with global concerns.
“Thus far, we have successfully adopted all three winning solutions from the 2020 Hackathon. These solutions were meticulously crafted to combat pandemics and epidemics that threatened our nation”, Maska added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director of Research and Development said the innovative Hackathon, if sustained, would offer invaluable opportunities for Nigeria to adapt to new technologies.
He pointed out that sustaining the competition had become imperative as young innovators had a pivotal role to play in addressing the nation’s existing industrial challenges and formulating technology-driven solutions that would yield tangible social impact on Nigeria.
Adedigba said that innovation in Communication Technologies stood as the driving force behind the very essence of the Telecommunication industry as at today.
He said: “We have every confidence that you have brought forth a plethora of creative solutions, and we eagerly anticipate the outstanding commercialisable prototypes that will emerge from your endeavours.
“Technology has emerged as the catalyst that unleashes unprecedented potential in ways we could scarcely fathom.
“Consequently, the advancement of the Telecommunication sector, and doing so in a manner that is sustainable and ethical, should be a collective concern for all of us”, Adedigba advocated
