FirstBank Group has reiterated its commitment to sustain investment in the Fintech market by rewarding N22.5 million to three startups that emerged winners at its Fintech innovators pitch Programme during its 2024 Fintech summit.
NearSwipe Limited, a Fintech startup that offers NFC smart Identity (ID) cards with integrated payment for university students emerged the overall winner at the end of the two -days programme, receiving a cheque worth N10 million.
The second and third position went to Middleman, a startup fintech with easiest and fastest seamless payments for African e-commerce businesses to suppliers in China, and Esusu Africa Limited, a digital thrift and credit banking platform, winning a total of N7.5 million and N5 million, respectively.
Other Fintech startups that were among 10 finalists shortlisted during the programme were Vitabridge Healthcare Technology, Thryvee.ng, Kitovu Technology Company, Myaza, Izifin, Scrella and Zech Africa.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the group managing director of FirstBank, Ini Ebong said that through this programme FirstBank aims to foster innovation, collaboration and growth in Nigeria Fintech ecosystem.
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He said that the overall objectives of this year’s summit is to increase financial inclusion and financial services penetration across the country, stressing that the programme created an opportunity to partner with young Nigerian entrepreneurs who are bright and smart enough to pursue their dreams and their ideas.
He said that FirstBank just provided a platform for startups to showcase their skills and their ability, adding that such opportunities will attract Investment in future.
He stated that in the last six years the programme has been beneficial to both the bank and the Fintech companies
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Also speaking , Group Head Corporate Transformation, FirstBank, Mr Olayinka Shitu said that the theme for this year’s summit “Banking on Partnership” was chosen because the bank really recognizing that banking these days is an ecosystem, a banking of connection based on data, partnership by coming together, exchanging and collaborating to trade value.
He said that the collaboration with Fintech enables them to create value and ideas.
He said that at the end of this year’s summit the overall winner will receive a total of N10 million while second and third position will go home with N7.5 million and N5 million respectively.
The bank had earlier said that the selected winners will receive support from FirstBank to bring their products to market, including strategic assistance, resource and network access. They will also benefit from intensive training and mentorship, culminating in an opportunity to pitch their groundbreaking solutions to FirstBank, prominent investors, and industry experts.
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