Denis Opudo
In a statement released by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) on 13th December 2017, the firm has launched Lagos Innovative which has some programs developed to help innovation startups and technology based in Lagos Nigeria. The firm said that the Lagos Innovative was aiming at maintaining Lagos’ position as the outstanding place for startups in Africa, by offering access to good infrastructure, capital, networks, and learning.
The LSETF will majorly concentrate on the locally based and locally founded startups by scaling potential startups in smart ways, finding from the experience and successes of similar government-led programs like Startup Singapore, Startup India, and Startup Chile. Network-building and partnership have been seen as a basis for the substantial innovation and creativity.
With immediate effect, Lagos-resident developers and operators of partnered-working spaces and innovation hubs will be in a position to apply for one of Lagos Innovative’s first three programs: Workspace Vouchers, Hub Loans and Events Sponsorship, which will be open to those with merit standards, through online application processes. Once the laid down processes are rightly obtained, Lagos City will have the capability of increasing the job opportunities for the locals in the medium to future basis.
The government of the day is so supportive of the technological space, and that should not be taken for granted but instead be utilized maximum. Lagos governor Akinwumi Ambode had promised to support the community in smart ways, and that is replicated through Lagos Innovates. As much as the state governments support for the startup community might not be enough, but people have to make good use of it to convince the government to add more support. According to Chief Executive Officer, BlueChip Technologies, Olumide Soyombo, Lagos Innovative paves the way for the upcoming startups that aims at helping the community in the long run for current and future benefits.
