Calabar, the capital of Cross River State in Nigeria, known for its tranquil atmosphere and historical sites, is stepping onto the global stage as a hub for innovation thanks to The Factory.
A New Perspective on Technology in Africa
The Factory's inaugural Pitch2Win event attracted over 200 applications from across Nigeria. Participants competed for a prize pool of 10 million naira by presenting their startups from idea to pre-seed stages. Among the winners were Hack51 with a prize of 5 million, Decenter AI with 3 million, and WearNaija with 1 million. The event was not just a competition but also a platform for discussions on the evolving African tech ecosystem, where startup funding has become more challenging. Key topics included exploring alternative funding sources and creating market-driven solutions.
Tinapa: A Story of Renewal
Tinapa Business Resort, once envisioned as a 'Mini Dubai,' opened in 2007 but faced several challenges and fell into disrepair. Nelson Elemi and his team now see it as a new opportunity. They aim to transform it into a Silicon Valley-like tech hub, offering startups affordable workspaces and support at all development stages.
The Future of Calabar
Calabar offers startups a peaceful and structured environment for innovation, unlike Lagos, with its high living costs and traffic woes. Nelson Elemi's vision is to create a space where startups can focus on global solutions with the resources and support they need. This opens up new prospects for the region's technological development.
The Factory and Tinapa are acting as catalysts for modernizing Calabar, providing startups with inspiring and supportive communities for growth. These initiatives have the potential to transform Africa's tech landscape, laying the groundwork for future innovations.
