In its effort at empowering and equipping startups for growth and scale-up through programs and partnerships, the Art of Technology Lagos 5.0 introduced a “Deal Room’, an exclusive platform and opportunity for startups to pitch their innovative products and solutions to potential investors at the conference.
Dash Studios, a gaming platform building games with global demand for audiences around the world and with a passion for the advancement of the African gaming industry, emerged as the grand prize winner of Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira during the conference.
Raize HQ, a peer-to-peer payment ecosystem offering alternative payment channels, which operate off the rails of the traditional banking system emerged as the first runner-up with a prize of One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira, while Sundry Agro, an online marketplace revolutionizing how people shop for fresh groceries in urban Nigeria, particularly Lagos State emerged as the second runner-up with a prize of One Million Naira.
John Ikpeme, Co-Founder and CEO of Dash Studios stated that the Deal Room created an opportunity to interact with investors and display their solutions for success. “It was an amazing deal room experience, and we are delighted to emerge winners. With our prize money, we intend to expand our operations in the country to deliver more value”, Mr. Ikpeme stated. He further commended the AOT platform for bringing together experts to pave the way forward for the creative industry using technology.
John Olumide Abayomi, Founder of Raize HQ, also added that the deal room provided an opportunity where the judges helped in addressing effective solutions for the company. He further added that the prize money will be utilized to put infrastructure in place to cater to the needs of its customers.
Similarly, Eyitayo Onigbinde, Co-Founder and CEO of Sundry Agro, said that the win is an indication that “we are doing something right, and it motivates us to keep creating value and making an impact in Nigeria. It is an encouragement for us”, he stated. According to him, the funds from the win will bring more exposure to the business.
The Deal Room served as the ultimate bridge connecting creative ventures with investors, propelling them towards sustainable success. With the deal room platform, AOT 5.0 demonstrated its commitment to solving the most pressing development and institutional challenges with technology and innovation.
