The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has announced the winners of the maiden edition of the South East Venture Capital Program (SEVCP) Pitch Competition, in a move aimed at strengthening innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth across the South East region of Nigeria.
The competition concluded with a high-level Finals Day and Investment Ceremony, bringing together investors, ecosystem leaders, business executives, and industry experts to identify and support promising startups from across the region.
The selected startups cut across several sectors including healthcare, artificial intelligence, clean energy, mobility, agriculture, fintech, legal technology, logistics, commerce, education technology, and public infrastructure innovation.
According to the Commission, the SEVCP was structured into two categories — the Incubator Track and the Accelerator Track. While the Incubator Track focused on early-stage startups requiring foundational business support and venture readiness, the Accelerator Track targeted more mature startups with scalable business models and stronger market traction.
Following a rigorous selection and evaluation process, ten startups emerged under the Incubator Track, while fifteen startups qualified under the Accelerator Track and will now benefit from strategic support under the initiative.
Speaking on the significance of the programme, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South East Development Commission, Mark Okoye II, said the initiative represents a long-term economic development strategy aimed at unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of the South East.
According to him, the Commission remains committed to supporting indigenous entrepreneurs capable of building scalable businesses that can drive industrialisation, create jobs, attract investments, and position the South East as a leading innovation hub on the African continent.
“The South East Venture Capital Program is not merely a startup competition but a long-term economic development strategy designed to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of the region and strengthen the pipeline of investable businesses emerging from the South East,” he stated.
SEDC disclosed that the selected startups will receive financial support, investor access, mentorship, business advisory services, technical support, ecosystem partnerships, and post-program growth opportunities to help them scale sustainably and become investment-ready enterprises.
The Commission also reaffirmed its commitment to working with venture capital firms, development institutions, innovation hubs, academic institutions, corporate organisations, and ecosystem stakeholders to deepen entrepreneurial opportunities and innovation-driven growth across the region.
The startups selected under the Incubator Track include Health Vault NG LTD, VIBET BIO, Wattmuse Energy, Simsak, KoboTrac, Farmi AI LTD, Growdex, CNG Protect, Linia Finance, and Keke Ride.
Meanwhile, the Accelerator Track winners are Ondigo Technologies Limited, Skilladder, KIRA AI LIMITED, RapidMedicare Limited, SmartAirs, Bra-X, Stur Africa, Nigenius, SpaceOps, FLOF CO, Case Radar, Smart Transport Grid Ltd (STRAG), 8Bit Digital Systems Limited, CLIMAX GREEN (AGROFUXION), and Afiari.
SEDC noted that the initiative marks the beginning of a broader long-term strategy to catalyse innovation-led growth, strengthen enterprise development, and build a more prosperous and globally competitive South East economy through strategic investment in talent, technology, and entrepreneurship.
The statement was signed by Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, Executive Director of Finance and Chairman of the South East Venture Capital Program.
