Bolt, the biggest ride-hailing company in Africa, has announced the start of its much-anticipated Bolt Den Accelerator Program.
This is a ground-breaking effort to help its drivers become better business owners.
The top 20 finalists were announced at a virtual induction event on November 8, 2023. This was a big step toward giving drivers more power to become entrepreneurs.
Twenty of the best drivers have been chosen to participate in Bolt Den’s changing two-week boot camp phase. This part is essential because it’s where new ideas are born, and drivers learn the most critical things in business development, financial management, digital marketing, and more.
The drivers were chosen from Abuja, Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna, and Kwara after a challenging selection process that began with coming up with ideas. They are now getting ready for pitch day, which is coming up on November 20, 2023. At that time, they will show their innovative ideas to well-known judges from the banking, science, and education industries.
Read also: Bolt Nigeria starts a 3-month online training hub
About Bolt Den Pitch Day
A distinguished panel of judges will examine the drivers’ ideas and select the best 10. Bolt is dedicated to helping its drivers innovate and grow, and these finalists will receive €2,000 in seed capital and a 6-week business mentorship program.
The Bolt Den initiative will conclude on November 21 with an award ceremony and the launch of the Oliver Wyman Mobility Forum’s landmark report on “Shared Mobility’s Global Impact” in Africa and Europe.
Ewoma Bolt, Nigeria Public Policy Specialist Jerry-Ogeme, was excited, seeing drivers as the driving force behind mobility change. Jerry-Ogeme remarked, “We are excited to witness the evolution of your ideas as you learn, unlearn, and relearn through ideation.
The shortlisted drivers eagerly awaited pitch day to compete for 2000 euros in seed funding. The Nest Programs Manager Paradise Okoronkwo, praised the drivers’ inventiveness, determination, and talent, highlighting their transformative journey.
Your creativity, drive, and ability have set you apart in this competitive process, making this induction ceremony exciting and motivating. This is merely the start of a transformation”.
Several weeks ago, the ride-hailing platform started an online driver training program. The second stage of its Accelerator Program, established in September to encourage mobility entrepreneurship among drivers, was announced to the media.
The company call it a bespoke online training hub that will improve drivers’ business development skills. In-person implementation partners PM4Success and Coursera will manage the online training centre.
More program info
November 20, 2023: Pitch Day
Panel of Judges:
Prof Kemi Ogunyemi – Professor of Business Ethics, Lagos Business School
Ray Ndinga – Disruptive Technologies & Venture Capital, International Finance Corporation
Dr Andreas Nienhaus – Partner, Automotive & Mobility Team, Co-Head of Oliver Wyman Mobility Forum Kolapo Ogungbile – Vatebra Tech Hub Mayowa Owolabi – Paddy Cover
Hakeem Onasanya – Head Startups, Lagos Innovates
Yahaya Mohammed – Country Manager, Bolt