Techpoint Build is an annual technology conference hosted by online tech blog, Techpoint. The conference aims to showcase local start-ups. It also holds sessions to discusses trends and prospects of the Nigerian tech-ecosystem. It is Nigeria’s very own version of TechCrunch Disrupt.
The maiden edition of Techpoint Build was held on Saturday, 27 January. And here’s a review of what went down.
TechPoint Build Pitch Storm
The main aim of Techpoint Build is to provide a platform for local start-ups to showcase their ideas and products to the Nigerian tech community and to potential investors. Importantly, it also gives selected start-ups a shot at its N1,000,000 prize money.
Last Saturday, at its maiden edition, 9 startups were given the opportunity to do pitch their businesses. The start-ups were selected out of a pool of over 200 applications.
#TechpointBuild Bootcamp Day 3: After learning all the intricacies of pitching and putting their decks together in the past 2 days, our 9 finalists are pitching to judges for final feedback.
Our Judges: @OoTheNigerian@dukeofspades @Possicon and @ChiefOsaretin pic.twitter.com/FjXBQgS4F3
— Techpoint Africa (@Techpointdotng) January 26, 2018
Some of the start-ups at PitchStorm were
Accounteer : provides online accounting services to SMEs.
The Footwear Academy: it provides training to people on footwear production.
SmartTeller: a Fintech startup that provides banking services to people.
Legitcar: provides car verification and tracking.
Placements.ng: helps youths find internship placements.
Other start-ups like Wemove, Loystar, Mypadi and Gerocare, make up the rest of the list.
After deliberation by Judges, Placements.ng emerged first place and winner. It won the coveted N1 million price. Accounteer and Legitcar emerged runners-up.
https://t.co/1cMjQbgjCQ emerges top startup at Techpoint Build https://t.co/lUDQVMZ86p via @Techpointdotng
— Adetunji Adeniran #AA (@kingadetunji_) January 28, 2018
The Judging panel was an extremely high profile. It included the likes of Adetunji Eleso (Head, Growth Capital, CCHub), Deepankar Rustagi (CEO, VConnect), Leonard Steigeler (GM, Ringier Africa), and Jason Njoku (Founder, Spark and iRokoTV).
Introducing Techpoint Base
Techpoint also used the event to unveil its own service: Techpoint Base.
Introducing https://t.co/o3ycBPPKGV, a database for professionals, startups and job openings in Nigeria. We'd appreciate your feedback, kindly sign up now! #TechpointBuild pic.twitter.com/m2uo77sU2a
— Techpoint Africa (@Techpointdotng) January 27, 2018
The base is a database for professionals, startups and job openings in Nigeria. You can use it to find professionals, start-ups, job openings, events and institutions. Although Base opens a new frontier, it is going to be interesting to see how it gets integrated into the Nigerian tech-ecosystem. A cool idea, I must say.
Other Events
Aside PitchStorm, other events went down in the Build. One of such is the SME Clinic, a session that helped innovators and start-ups to re-think issues “with diagnostic advice” from advisors and startup founders, such as Shola Akinlade of PayStack, and Onyeka Akumah of Farmcrowdy.
The next session in the #SMEclinic kicked off with Abdulrahman Jogbojogbo, Product Marketer at Paystack. He's taking a session on Growing Your Business Online Using Whatsapp . #SMEclinic #TechpointBuild
— Techpoint Africa (@Techpointdotng) January 27, 2018
Data is number. You must not allow data to limit us. Data can also allow us to jump ahead. If you do not respect the fundamental data that handles your category you would get in trouble. #TechpointBuild @Techpointdotng
— yinksy09 (@yinksy09) January 27, 2018
Signals that your business, start-up or pitch will receive funding from investors are:
1. Hustle
2. Team
3. Market size
4. Problem you intend to solve– @collinsonuegbu, Investor @EkoNetwork #TechpointBuild #SMEclinic
— Ìfẹ́olúwa Ṣópéjú (@ifeoluwasopeju) January 28, 2018
TechPoint Build also provided a very important platform for discussion. It provided different sessions with interesting individuals as panellists. And their words of advice are timeless for tech entrepreneurs. The discussions focused on helping startup owners make crucial decisions such as seeking funds from investors, deciding on when to start seeking fund as well as getting a co-founder.
The #TechpointBuild second panel session is underway, moderated by @SkweiRd Head of Research and Ecosystems @vplatformhub. pic.twitter.com/bCdQU52eSp
— Oyeyemi (@Hoye_00) January 27, 2018
“Over 32% Of investments that came into Africa came to Nigeria. So Startups need to do more to make themselves investable to attract more investments.” – Martin Karanja, GSMA#TGNLive #TechPointBuild @techpointdotng
— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) January 27, 2018
"Start small, get a great team and make sure that there's a market that's willing to buy your product. This way, you can convince investors to invest in your business" @onyekaakumah CEO of @farmcrowdy #TechpointBuild pic.twitter.com/f6FQcTovPP
— Father of Two Boys (@FrankEleanya) January 27, 2018
There were exhibitions by other companies also.
The largest online marketplace for souvenirs and favors for all occasions. Then visit @Lucydotng exhibition stand at the #TechpointBuild event. @Techpointdotng pic.twitter.com/LgI3bEDdlC
— yinksy09 (@yinksy09) January 27, 2018
But it wasn’t all about business and tech, quite a lot of people had the space to socialize.
See who I met today at the #TechpointBuild. @akinalabi of @NairaBET . Great guy. ✌ pic.twitter.com/5haNJtEqe4
— 'Tola (@tolahood) January 27, 2018
Just meet a great mentor Mark Essien @markessien #TechpointBuild pic.twitter.com/bsGoXiGjwJ
— Ebere (@uzodufaebere) January 27, 2018
If I have captured the entire event for you in a piece, you can thank me later!