Kano Climate Hackathon Crowns Two Startups as £2,000 Winners

Two emerging companies have been declared top winners at the inaugural Climate Innovation Ecosystem Development (CIED) Program held in Kano, with each securing a £1,000 prize. In addition, ten other startups were awarded £500 apiece.

The victorious ventures were Beta Agric Ventures Ltd, represented by founder Adaora Akojuru, which proposed a strategy for value-added processing of fresh tomatoes to mitigate post-harvest losses and ensure supply throughout the year. The second winner was HerEcoSpace, founded by Safiyya Daba, focusing on transforming used tires into durable furniture through upcycling and recycling.

This pilot incubation initiative was spearheaded by Startup Kano Centre for Innovation Development, receiving backing from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as part of its PACE program.

During the pitch event, Aisha Tofa, Executive Director of Startup Kano, explained that the program's objective was to cultivate businesses concentrating on climate solutions, equipping them with the essential skills and frameworks necessary to access and compete for climate-related funding.

"We identified 12 startups from an initial pool of over 120 applications and engaged them in a rigorous six-week bootcamp. During this period, they gained insights into building their businesses from the initial concept stage to market readiness, incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, and positioning themselves effectively for investment," Tofa elaborated.

Tofa further highlighted that this project aligns with Kano's aspirations to become a center for climate-smart solutions, thereby connecting innovation with economic expansion, job creation, and environmental preservation.