Yemisi Izuora
The Union Bank has begun the process of receiving entries into its 2019 edTech Challenge which aims at boosting the education sector through innovative, technology-driven ideas.
The programme is open to students, teachers, developers, designers and fintech or a player in the tech space.
The bank disclosed that it will start receiving entries from July 30 to August 28, 2019, from anyone with cutting-edge technological solutions that demonstrate a strong potential to transform the education system in Nigeria.
By ‘anyone’, we mean ‘anyone’, including but not limited to students, teachers, developers, designers, fintechs, tech companies etc., the bank said.
Union Bank acknowledges that innovation is important if we are to achieve the prosperous Nigeria we all dream about and that is why each year since 2017, it had organised annual editions of The Innovation Challenge with the aim of discovering and supporting innovative ideas and solutions that solve social and business issues. This year, the competition which is being organised in partnership with VHA Services, will focus on unearthing education technology solutions, emphasising Union Bank’s focus on supporting the Nigerian education sector.
At the end of the entry period, up to 10 shortlisted entries will be unveiled and the successful applicants invited to participate in an accelerator programme providing them with access to coach-mentors, and a community of education stakeholders and strategic partnerships.
Following a pitch, the top three winners will be announced during edu360, Union Bank’s annual flagship education event scheduled to hold in October this year.
These top three winning entries will receive total funding support of 5 Million Naira towards scaling their solutions, and venture support including provision of specialised support based on their specific project needs. They will also receive advisory regarding the deployment and management of funding received.