Following the successful completion of the pilot
edition, the “Nokia/CCHub Growth Academy”, global leader in the manufacturing
of mobile devices Nokia, in partnership with foremost social innovation centre
in Nigeria, Co-Creation Hub (CCHUB) are now accepting applications for the
second edition of the academy programme.
Disclosing this, the Head of Ecosystem and
Developer Experience, Nokia West Africa, Mr. Teemu Kiijarvi, said the ‘Nokia/CCHub Growth Academy’ is aimed at accelerating Nigerian
mobile software companies, which is the first of its kind business in Africa.
He also said that the programme is dedicated to
providing intensive continuous hands-on support to help early stage mobile
technology start-ups grow into high growth businesses and build world class
mobile applications for the Nokia platform regionally and globally.
“We at Nokia are pleased to be associated with
an initiative such as this because it creates opportunities for young Nigerian
companies as part of Nokia’s goals is to make a positive impact on its
ecosystem,” he said.
The three month intensive programme, he said,
runs in three parts namely capacity building, product development and launch.
He explained that each start-up undergoes
hands-on prototype development and structured training with modules such as
business model development, project implementation plan and lean product
development.
Tailored technical training and support, he
said, will be provided by Futurice, a global training organization with
expertise in mobile application development and user driven design.
Further, he said, during product development
each start-up is complemented with the best of resources i.e. one-on-one
mentorship, project implementation plan; and market research support to ensure
that solutions meet specific market needs.
According to him, the last phase of the
programme is dedicated to product testing, pilot launch and value redesign
based on initial customer feedback. Each start-up will also pitch at an open
Pitchfest to the wider community and investors as part of the final product
launch.
The programme
seeks start-ups with brilliant ideas to address market needs in finance, education,
healthcare, agriculture, small business development, environment, inclusive
technology, entertainment. The applicants would need to have developed a
working prototype in Java ME (J2ME), have at least 2 core members, including a
lead developer and should be willing to commit 3 full months to developing
their idea on the program
He
emphasised that Interested participants should visit the
academy’s website at www.growthacademy.org in order to register for the programme. Stressing that applications
will close on the third of October 2012 noting that ten startups will be
recruited into the programme.
The previous edition of the programme saw
innovative applications developed such as MyCash, an
application which allows individuals keep track of their personal expenses, NINGO mobile app is an offline catalogue of Nigerian History and Current
Affairs available to users on the go and Pledge51 is a fresh
mobile media company pursuing opportunities in Nigeria’s mobile internet space
among others.
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
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