Nokia, Co-Creation Hub Growth Academy Invite Applications

Nokia, global leader in the manufacturing of mobile devices, in partnership with Co-Creation Hub (CCHUB), foremost social innovation centre in Nigeria, are inviting applications for the sophomore edition of the academy programme.


This is having successfully completed the pilot edition of the “Nokia/CCHub Growth Academy”


Teemu Kiijarvi, head of Ecosystem and Developer Experience, Nokia West Africa, stated that the ‘Nokia/CCHub Growth Academy’, which is aimed at accelerating Nigerian mobile software companies in growing, is a first of its kind business accelerator program in Africa dedicated to providing intensive continuous hands-on support to help early stage mobile technology start-ups grow into high growth businesses and build world class mobile applications for the Nokia platform regionally and globally.


He further said, “We at Nokia are pleased to be associated with an initiative such as this because it creates opportunities for young Nigerian companies as part of Nokia’s goals is to make a positive impact on its ecosystem”


The three month intensive program runs in three parts - Capacity building, Product Development and Launch.

 
Each start-up undergoes hands-on prototype development and structured training with modules such as business model development, project implementation plan and lean product development. Tailored technical training and support will be provided by Futurice, a global training organization with expertise in mobile application development and user driven design.

 
During product development each start-up is complemented with the best of resources i.e. one-on-one mentorship, project implementation plan; and market research support to ensure that solutions meet specific market needs.

 
The last phase of the programme is dedicated to product testing, pilot launch and value redesign based on initial customer feedback. Each start-up will also pitch at an open Pitchfest to the wider community and investors as part of the final product launch.

 
The programme seeks start-ups with brilliant ideas to address market needs in finance, education, healthcare, agriculture, small business development, environment, inclusive technology, entertainment. The applicants would need to have developed a working prototype in Java ME (J2ME), have at least 2 core members, including a lead developer and should be willing to commit 3 full months to developing their idea on the program


Head of Ecosystem and Developer Experience said that, Interested participants should visit the academy’s website at www.growthacademy.org in order to register for the programme. He added that applications will close on the third of October 2012 noting that ten startups will be recruited into the programme.


The previous edition of the programme saw innovative applications developed such as MyCash, an application which allows individuals keep track of their personal expenses, NINGO mobile app is an offline catalogue of Nigerian History and Current Affairs available to users on the go and Pledge51 is a fresh mobile media company pursuing opportunities in Nigeria’s mobile internet space among others.