Three Nigerian startup companies – Mobihealth International, Lifestores Healthcare, and Wella Health Technologies − have emerged among the top 20 finalists of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize 2023.
This was announced on the official website and social media handle of ABH, an initiative of Jack Ma Yun − the Chinese billionaire businessman/philanthropist and co-founder of the tech/e-commerce platform, Alibaba Group.
According to the organizers of the prize, ABH aims to identify, support, and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are making an impact in their local communities, operating businesses formally registered and headquartered in an African country, and have a three-year track record.
Out of the 27 thousand applicants across 54 African countries that applied for the prize, Dr Funmi Adewara, the founder and CEO of Mobihealth International, was among one of the four African women who made the top 20 list; and also the only Nigerian woman among the three Nigerians that made the top 20 list.
The two other Nigerians on the top 20 list were Bryan Mezue, founder of Lifestores Healthcare, a company that is building the pharmacy of the future in Africa; and Ikpeme Neto, founder at Wella Health Technologies, working at the nexus of health tech and fintech for emerging markets.
At the next pitching competition, the top 10 winners will be selected and will share a $1.5 million equity-free grant to support their businesses.
Sabrina Isimbi, Customer Service of ABH, said it was with immense pleasure and excitement that they extend their heartfelt congratulations to Adewara on being chosen as one of the 2023 Top 20 of ABH.
Isimbi noted that one of the judges, Anino Emuwa, congratulated the winners on the incredible milestone on YouTube.
“The level of competition has been exceptional, and your achievements have truly stood out among the esteemed cohorts,” Isimbi added.
Reacting to the news, Adewara said she was humbled to be representing Nigeria and Nigeria’s women entrepreneurs this year for the prize.
She stated that the shortlist was a big recognition for her work and her team at Mobihealth and that she was delighted that their efforts at making quality, affordable healthcare a reality for Nigerians and Africans are getting the necessary attention.
“I want to sincerely thank the judges for deeming me worthy of this honour,” she said. “I look forward to all the amazing opportunities that will come from this and can’t wait to meet all the other winners in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, for the next round.”
According to ABH, the benefits of becoming an ABH top 50 or top 20 finalist include access to ABH’s network, such as mentorship, exclusive training resources, investment readiness coaching, publicity, feedback from industry experts, and more.
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