The project innovation-to-Market (I2M) at the University of Lagos (Unilag) has announced 12 entrepreneurs for its accelerator programme, which aims to assist startups in scaling their solutions and making a significant impact across a range of industries.
Buyscrap Nigeria founded by Ndaman Joshua Olayinka which is Nigeria’s first online marketplace for recyclables, promoting sustainability was among the 12 entrepreneurs selected for the accelerator program. Some of the other brilliant entrepreneurs driving change in agriculture, sustainability, education, finance, and technology that were introduced at the occasion include Pneedles, Ledge, Palmark Syndicate, Niteon Inc, Vet Konect, Cubbes, PNGfitfam Herbals, Upcycla Technologies, VersityEdge, Craft Planet, and SundryAgro Ltd.
Speaking at the inauguration of the entrepreneurs and their startups on Monday, February 17, project director Abiodun Gbenga-Ilori explained that Project I2M was created to help innovators move from ideation to commercialization by providing industry partnerships, funding, and mentorship.
“At its core, Project I2M is designed to bridge the gap between research, innovation, and commercialization, ensuring that groundbreaking ideas translate into market-ready solutions. “Through this accelerator, we are fostering entrepreneurship, supporting innovators, and driving economic transformation,” she said.
According to Gbenga-Ilori, the accelerator program is a key project under I2M that aids startups in scaling their solutions and making a significant impact on a range of industries.
The project, which has been supported since 2023 by a grant from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) through the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA), intends to address three main issues that hinder innovation: the absence of a clear path from innovation to market, a lack of support for innovators, and a lack of training on how to innovate.
The project is addressing issues like giving researchers and innovators self-paced, comprehensive training and building a support network by offering the capital, materials, tools, and facilities required to create innovations. Others include developing networks and collaborations to help commercialize project innovations and developing a software platform that will facilitate the management of innovations from conception to commercialization.
She added that the project collaborated with industry and academic facilitators to create training on a range of innovation-related topics.
About BuyScrap Nigeria
BuyScrap is a tech-driven recycling and waste management company that is transforming Nigeria’s scrap material handling industry. Trade in recyclables, including metals, plastics, paper, and e-waste, is made easier by BuyScrap Nigeria, which links buyers and sellers via an intuitive digital marketplace. In addition to facilitating transactions, they are fostering resource recovery, keeping waste out of landfills, and enabling people and companies to make money off of their scrap. In order to contribute to a cleaner and greener future for Nigeria, BuyScrap Nigeria is making recycling rewarding and accessible for all by emphasizing sustainability, convenience, and transparency.
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