25 techpreneurs make Microsoft’s WinSiders4Good fellowship

Microsoft has announced the 25 aspiring tech entrepreneurs that made the first class of fellows in its Windows Insiders for Good (WinSiders4Good) Fellowship starting in November. The start-ups were presented at a formal launch on in Lagos.

WinSiders4Good Fellowship is a partnership between Microsoft and Co-Creation Hub (CcHub) which was launched in September to provide opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs to submit brilliant ideas they believe can be used to positively impact the society.

Following its launch, over 5000 ideas were received and were vetted by a select team from Microsoft and CcHub. Bambo Sofola, director of Software Engineering, Microsoft Corp noted the zeal and creativity displayed by Nigerian entrepreneurs which was evident in the number of “incredible” entries that the judges received.

“We at the Windows Insider Program and Co-Creation Hub (CCHub) are proud to announce the first ever class of WinSiders4Good Fellows. We were excited to select Nigeria as the place to begin this fellowship, and Nigerian entrepreneurs have shown us their creative ideas to positively impact the lives of their fellow Nigerians,” Sofola said.

He explained that the global goal of the program was to empower the community of people using technology to make a lasting impact on the world.

Arriving at the 25 entrepreneurs followed a rigorous process, Sofola disclosed.

“Each of the applicants was asked to think deeply about the issues confronting his or her community, the solutions that could address these issues, and the opportunities for the solution to thrive in the market. After a thorough consideration in partnership with CCHub, we selected fellows whom we are glad to bolster with our global network, out boot-camp and six month fellowship,” Sofola said.

Femi Longe, Co-founder of CCHub who spoke during the occasion noted that the future of young Nigerian depends on technology. There is every need to create platforms to help young people overcome the challenges and needs that will face them in the future. The WinSidersGood Fellowship, according to Longe, will connect Nigerian entrepreneurs to a global community of people like them, prioritize and solve the technical issues that can hinder them from reaching their goal.

“Honestly, it has been an interesting journey thus far. From the number of entries we received to the rigour of combing every idea to be sure they align with the purpose the programme aims to achieve I believe this is an indication that something phenomenal is happening in the Nigeria’s ICT space,” Longe said.

FRANK ELEANYA