ADIS24 Pitch Competition

For the first time, ADN is hosting a pitch competition as part of this year’s ADIS for up-and-coming entrepreneurs and changemakers. We sought passionate and dedicated individuals or teams who have an early stage business, social enterprise or NGO that they have recently launched or hope to launch soon.
Founders submitted their applications for the pitch competition and were reviewed by a panel of experts. Almost 80 applications were judged on their clarity, innovative approach to problem solving, the potential impact of the venture, and the feasibility of the implementation plan proposed. Preference was given to ventures responding to the negative effects of climate change, but we were open to other ventures as well. Applicants provided information about their business model, the problem they are solving, their target market, financial plans, and how they would utilize the grant award to take their venture to the next step.
Thanks to our panel of reviewers, the top three applicants have been invited to pitch at ADIS24 in Silicon Valley, California. All three will receive mentorship from alumni of ADN’s entrepreneur accelerator programs, BAF and/or ABLE, but the top pitch, voted on by our audience, will be awarded a $10,000 grant to be used towards launching or growing their venture.

Pitch finalists

Rukayat Bello

Founder and CEO, Regxta

Rukayat Bello is the founder and CEO of Regxta. She has B.sc degree in Kwara State University where she graduated as one of the best and respected students in the school. She is a member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). She has over 6 years of experience in banking, auditing and finance. She is very passionate about financial inclusion and keen in growing micro businesses. She is an alumni of future females business school, seedstars, village capital and many others. She is globally recognized by reputable institutions including IFC and World Bank for her efforts in driving financial inclusion in Africa. She has attended several training sessions in sales & marketing, business development & strategy implementation. She also has exceptional Skills in credit analysis, front end engineering and digital marketing.

Amanda Etuk

Amanda Etuk

Co-Founder, Messenger

Amanda Etuk is an accomplished, results-driven business management professional with deep experience in supply chain management, logistics and distribution, and sales and marketing.
She co-founded Messenger, a logistics platform that provides financing and aggregation for end- to-end logistics and supply chain operations. Messenger efficiently connects businesses to their customers through logistics solutions. Our mobile applications connect individuals and businesses to nearby logistics assets, while also supporting operators through asset financing and operations support. Messenger is poised towards becoming the preferred partner and a leader in logistics in the city of Abuja with plans to expand to other economically viable cities across Nigeria and Africa. The team has successfully negotiated new businesses and partnerships with the likes of Jumia Food, Omnibiz, amongst many others. Messenger’s delivery hailing platform is available on IOS and Appstore. The company has been lauded by various organizations, She Leads Africa, The Africa Business Heroes and has received funding and support from The Baobab Network. The company is currently raising its pre-seed round. The company Messenger recently launched a product called M-Flex which provides short term financing to logistics and mobility operators providing succor in the current harsh economic climate as the product helps operators manage cash flow. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Lagos and a masters degree in Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management attained at the University of Sussex. Her recent career experience includes senior roles at 54gene, Zippy Logistics (now Loft Africa) and Hygeia HMO.

Jolis Nduwimana

Jolis Nduwimana

Founder and CEO, WEGE Company

Jolis Nduwimana is the Founder and CEO of WEGE Company, a social enterprise that promotes the green economy in Burundi through a circular economy. It transforms banana waste; paper scraps and rice straw into affordable eco-friendly packaging which serves as an alternative to plastic packaging materials. Since its beginning in 2021, 83. 5 tons of paper wastes are recycled, 932. 8 tons of agricultural waste materials were turned into eco-friendly packaging, and 32.9 million plastic waste was replaced which equates to a reduction of 24.1 million kg of CO2. And due to this initiative, he has several achievements: He is the winner of the INNOVATION WEEK competition organized by UNDP Burundi, the Shika Award 2021, and the Light Award 2021. He is the winner of the Global Startup Awards 2021, and among the top 100 innovators selected globally by PROTOTYPES FOR HUMANITY, he is a Burundi Public Service Ministry awardee , a Dubai Expo live Global champion 2023 , and among TOP 10 GREEN PACKAGING GLOBAL INNOVATORS. He’s 2023 Sahara Impact Fund Awardee, and he is a SEYI BICKERSTETH AWARDEE 2023 for financial accountability.

Reviewers

ROLAND PEARSON

Roland Pearson

Vice President and Executive Director, Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS) (MODERATOR)
Loksan Harley

Loksan Harley

Executive Director of Homelands Advisory

Dr. Michael Moscherosch

Founder – Periodic Element LLC
Stanley Mukasa

Stanley Mukasa

Associate Director of Entrepreneurship at CMU-Africa

Impact

Since 2016 ADN convenings have reached...