Trekk Scooters won the first Nigerian e-Mobility innovation hackathon hosted by GFA Technologies with the sponsorship of Microsoft, Sterling Bank and Oando Plc.
Out of 500 applicants, 12 Startups were selected for the hackathon. Startups revolutionising e-mobility with their unique solutions and ground-breaking concepts were the hackathon’s focus. The race for first place was intense, displaying astounding innovation across various categories, from cutting-edge car tech to next-gen charging systems.
Trekk Scooters, which Esther Ehindero leads, PMP, came first with a three million naira prize. In Lagos State, Trekk Scooters uses scooters in residential, commercial, and educational areas.
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Helgg, captained by Johnson Jaiyeola, took second place. Using the software, Helgg is trying to aggregate access to more affordable transportation options, primarily electric vehicles.
Lolade Alonge’s Celloop took third place. Recycling used batteries to power electric vehicles is Celloop’s main aim. Using the principles of the circular economy this changes the game.
GFA’s plan for the e-mobility startups
The sponsors gave out $5,000 in cash to the winners and will be giving the entrepreneurs over $20,000 in credits and support. In attendance were the participants, brilliant judges, sponsors, and industry veterans who gathered to share ideas, partner up, and review new frontiers in the e-mobility space.
Building an eMobility website to track the 12 startups’ progress over the next 12 months is the next step. On top of that, GFA Technologies will arrange for the present group to visit various corporate, regulatory, and venture capital groups.
Along with this, GFA Technologies intends to launch an eMobility skilling programme to instruct individuals in the art of keke and okada conversions for use as e-vehicles, that is, the art of electric motorbike and tricycle (keke) conversion.
This hackathon, along with the efforts to reduce transportation costs, exemplifies how GFA Technologies uses technology to impact ecosystems and society.
Sterling Bank, Oando Plc (OCEL), the African Development Centre (ADC), and Microsoft were the e-Mobility Innovation Hackathon’s sponsors and partners. GFA Technologies remarked how they are incredibly grateful for their support and dedication to advancing e-Mobility in Nigeria.
GFA Technologies’ next project
The Gateway Skills Programme Initiative was unveiled on Thursday, February 29th, 2024, by GFA Technologies in collaboration with the Ogun State Government.
Approximately 100,000 small and medium-sized businesses and young people in Ogun State will benefit from the Gateway Skills Program’s digital literacy and entrepreneurship training, mentorship, access to capital, job placement, and income-generating opportunities. The programme will also collaborate with regional businesses to facilitate internships, job shadowing, and other work-study inside the state.
Olatomiwa Williams Hall, a world-class venue inside Abeokuta’s Ogun Tech Hub, played host to the launch event, which was both small and intimate. Among the esteemed attendees were Senator Shuaib Salisu Afolabi, in his role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and Mr. Dayo Abiodun, who is the Special Adviser on ICT to the Governor of Ogun State. In addition to the Hastrups, other notable attendees were Engr Adesegun Fatoki, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, and the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology.
The software visionary GFA Technologies (formerly GetFundedAfrica) develops cloud-based solutions to problems faced by SMEs, startups, enterprises, and governments.
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The registration period, which began on the same day, is scheduled to end on March 28, 2024. From April 4 to May 2, 2024, the soft skills training will begin. Gateway Skills Programme by GFA Technologies (GFA-tech.com) is where interested parties can sign up for the course.
Technical skill training will begin on May 2 and continue until May 27th. Close monitoring of learning progress is going to take place. Participants will be able to receive individualised attention in the areas of training, skill development, funding, placement, and general support; this is to say nothing of the training’s ability to accommodate job-seekers, employed people, prospective business owners, and current business owners.
With the Gateway Skills Programme, GFA has shown its commitment to community development and inclusiveness, particularly in Ogun State, where it is based. Nevertheless, the long-term objective of GFA is to expand the skills programme to all 36 states in Nigeria. This will guarantee that all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and youngsters will find suitable employment opportunities, as well as platforms to demonstrate their abilities and progress.