3/28/2019 YTF partners GE Garage to enable tech start-ups | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsTechnology — The Guardi…

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Technology   YTF partners GE Garage to enable tech start-ups

Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF).<br />Photo/twitter/Youth for Technology FoundationYouth for Technology Foundation (YTF).<br />Photo/twitter/Youth for Technology Foundation

To assist Nigerian technology start-ups harness their potential through its 3D AfricaTo assist Nigerian technology start-ups harness their potential through its 3D Africaprogram, Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF), in partnership with GE Lagosprogram, Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF), in partnership with GE LagosGarage, has held its pitch and networking session for tech start-ups.Garage, has held its pitch and networking session for tech start-ups.

Present at the event with theme: ‘Building a Viable Hardware Ecosystem in Nigeria’,Present at the event with theme: ‘Building a Viable Hardware Ecosystem in Nigeria’,were the Belgian Minister of Digital Agenda, Philippe De Backer and his Silicon Lagoonwere the Belgian Minister of Digital Agenda, Philippe De Backer and his Silicon LagoonMission delegation, tech start-ups and guests comprised of local and internationalMission delegation, tech start-ups and guests comprised of local and internationalentrepreneurs, investors, representatives from private-sector companies, and non-entrepreneurs, investors, representatives from private-sector companies, and non-profits.profits.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), YTF/3D Africa, Njideka Harry, said the event is one ofChief Executive Officer (CEO), YTF/3D Africa, Njideka Harry, said the event is one ofthe firm’s ways of equipping the next generation with necessary skills needed to excel.the firm’s ways of equipping the next generation with necessary skills needed to excel.

By Oluwatosin Areo

27 March 2019   |   3:29 am

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3/28/2019 YTF partners GE Garage to enable tech start-ups | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsTechnology — The Guardi…

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“It is about empowering the next generation of leaders to join the workforce with skills“It is about empowering the next generation of leaders to join the workforce with skillsthey need to access employment or create their entrepreneurial opportunities in thethey need to access employment or create their entrepreneurial opportunities in thefourth industrial revolution.fourth industrial revolution.

“Our programs utilise technology to inspire youths and women in developing nations to“Our programs utilise technology to inspire youths and women in developing nations tocreate innovative solutions to their challenges and we are pleased to have been able tocreate innovative solutions to their challenges and we are pleased to have been able tocollaborate with GE Garage for this initiative,” she said.collaborate with GE Garage for this initiative,” she said.

She added that the YTF’s 3D Africa would not relent in its quest to change Africa’sShe added that the YTF’s 3D Africa would not relent in its quest to change Africa’snarrative from dependence on foreign technology to being self-sustaining throughnarrative from dependence on foreign technology to being self-sustaining through“meeting the increased global demand for emerging and disruptive technologies, like 3D“meeting the increased global demand for emerging and disruptive technologies, like 3Dprinting.”printing.”

Director, Communications & Public Affairs, GE Africa, Patricia Obozuwa, noted thatDirector, Communications & Public Affairs, GE Africa, Patricia Obozuwa, noted thatworking with technology has exposed them to its numerous opportunities and identifiedworking with technology has exposed them to its numerous opportunities and identifiedfunding as the major challenge for technology hardware start-ups.funding as the major challenge for technology hardware start-ups.

“African has the opportunity to be more globally competitive if technology is leveraged“African has the opportunity to be more globally competitive if technology is leveragedon. We have developed prototypes and have influenced several businesses acrosson. We have developed prototypes and have influenced several businesses acrossNigeria. People come to GE with manufacturing ideas and leave with business senseNigeria. People come to GE with manufacturing ideas and leave with business sensethat can work,” she added.that can work,” she added.

Obozuwa stressed that out of 100 hardware prototypes, only few make it to the marketObozuwa stressed that out of 100 hardware prototypes, only few make it to the marketafter five years because of funding and said there is need to engage collaboration andafter five years because of funding and said there is need to engage collaboration andinterest in the soft and hardware aspect.interest in the soft and hardware aspect.

“The growth in tech ecosystem had been sidelined to software like the fintechs. About“The growth in tech ecosystem had been sidelined to software like the fintechs. About70 per cent of funding now goes into fintech. This is something we should look for to70 per cent of funding now goes into fintech. This is something we should look for todevelop in a balanced nature. The hardware idea should be translated from prototype todevelop in a balanced nature. The hardware idea should be translated from prototype tothe market having met the global standard,” she added.the market having met the global standard,” she added.

Obozuwa added that partnering with YTF/3D Africa shows the vision alignment andObozuwa added that partnering with YTF/3D Africa shows the vision alignment andhave made our contributions to Lagos’ and Nigeria’s vibrant technology start-uphave made our contributions to Lagos’ and Nigeria’s vibrant technology start-upcommunities,” she said.communities,” she said.

Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Daniel Dargent, Director of InternationalBelgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Daniel Dargent, Director of InternationalRelations, Startup.be, Frederik Tibau, and founder and CEO, Close-the-Gap, OlivierRelations, Startup.be, Frederik Tibau, and founder and CEO, Close-the-Gap, OlivierVanden Eynde were also among the Belgian delegation at the pitching and networkingVanden Eynde were also among the Belgian delegation at the pitching and networkingsession.session.

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