High-technology businesses are characterized by new and rapidly changing technology which are used in their daily operations. Considering this, advanced technology has been utilised in so many different industries that it is often regarded as its own unique industry subset, with applications across various businesses. Today, high-tech businesses are involved in industries as diverse as food ordering applications, taxi booking applications, e-learning platforms, retail product design and a host of others. Businesses immersed in the world of high technology range from huge corporations (such as Amazon, Alibaba, Uber, Jumia, Konga, etc.) to small start-ups hoping to be the next global giants. Early and successful adopters of new technologies are often able to gain advantages that enable them to establish new ground in a market before the technology becomes more widely used. As LSETF’s Lagos Innovates Project is set to kick off, the list below showcases new comers who are currently shaping the technology and innovation space in Nigeria.
1) Flutterwave Flutterwave is a payment solution company with a presence in Nigeria and Ghana. Flutterwave has transacted more than $20 million to date working with clients including Uber Nigeria, Access Bank, Paystack, and Page Microfinance. The company has received undisclosed seed funding from Silicon Valley’s Y Combinator, South Africa’s CRE VC, VCFintech and recently Google. Website: www.flutterwave.com
2) Paystack Paystack is another Nigerian payment startup with bright prospects. It allows Nigerian merchants to accept MasterCard, Visa, and Verve cards from anyone, anywhere in the world. The company was founded by two graduates of Nigeria’s Babcock University. Paystack, just like Flutterwave, has joined Y Combinator and has received $120,000 seed funding. Website: www.paystack.com
3) GidiMobile Gidi Mobile Ltd is an African mobile learning technology platform. Gidi Mobile was amongst the four tech start-up companies in Nigeria to receive funding from Google. Website: www.gidimo.com
4) Oga Taxi Oga Taxi is a taxi booking application that launched in late 2016. Since its inception, Oga Taxi has enjoyed patronage from growing crowd of Lagosians especially the youth population. As for the services, Oga Taxi takes it a step further by giving the passengers three ride options (Standard, Deluxe and Executive); and offers passengers carpooling options. Website: www.ogataxi.com
5) Amplify Amplify (formerly SlushPay) is another new generation Nigerian payment startup that officially launched in June 2016 with focus on recurrent payments. Amplify is helping Nigerian businesses to accept recurring payments online. Nigerians paid more than $1.3 billion in automated direct debits alone. Website: www.amplifypay.com/
6) mPharma mPharma is a data and cost management platform connecting African consumers to accessible and affordable high-quality medications. mPharma, is addressing a dislocation in pharmaceutical distribution and reimbursements. Their flagship product Mutti is a pharmacy benefits management solution that enables insurance companies to control their drug reimbursement costs. mPharma integrates software that allows clinics to track prescriptions, dispensations and inventory levels in real time and aggregates purchasing power of the third-party payers to save costs, which in turn these companies can pass on to their customers. Website: www.mpharma.com
7) Delivery Science Delivery Science, is an enterprise supply chain software-as-a-service solution for companies operating robust logistics and supply chain business processes. The company was co-founded by Lanre Oyedotun, Chuka Ofili and Toyin Oshinowo. The company simplifies the optimization of goods and services delivery, providing audit, tracking and management of shipments, assets and delivery in real-time. They harness data to drive and deploy analytics. Website: www.deliveryscience.co
8) BuyChat BuyChat attempts to disrupt the traditional eCommerce using a simple messaging channel such as SMS and WhatsApp as a new interface for its core business. The company was founded by Olayinka Oluwakuse. The platform enables customers to state their shopping habits, offer tips and reviews about products, and purchase items from local merchants (e.g. from Balogun Market).
9) Tuteria Tuteria was launched by Godwin Benson in 2015 has registered over 7,500 vetted tutors across the country on its platform. Tuteria made news headlines during the Mark Zuckerberg visit in 2016. In addition to this, the startup won the Internet.org price for innovation along with a price money of $100,000. Website: www.tuteria.com
10) Accounting Hub Launched in Mid-2015, Accounting Hub offers an online and retail shop selling professional accounting services at a low cost to small business owners. The business also offers free consultation services on its platform. Website: www.accountinghub.ng
For more information on the Lagos Innovates Project please visit our website page
