The trio of Wakamedic, Hub Pharm Africa and Ule Homes emerged winners of a live pitch session at the Demo Day of the second edition of the Female Founders and Funders Program held on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Lagos.
The event was organised by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) through its Lagos Innovates program in partnership with AfriGloCal VC and with the support of the GIZ Digital Transformation Centre.
Six small start-ups, Ule Homes, House of Zibima, Hub Pharm Africa, Wakamedics, Varsity Africa, and Autogirl, participated in the business pitch, demonstrating creativity, market insight, and business resilience.
However, Wakamedics emerged as the overall winner, with Hub Pharm Africa and Ule Homes taking first and second runner-up positions, respectively, and all getting cash prizes to support the growth of their ventures.
The Female Founders programme had 17 female startup entrepreneurs and 20 aspiring female funders going through an eight-week journey through workshops, mentorship, and peer-to-pear learning to unlock access to funding opportunities.
At the event to conclude the initiative, the Head of Startups at Lagos Innovates, Mr Ifeoluwa Martins, said, “Over the past eight weeks, we’ve seen remarkable resilience, bold ideas, and a commitment to innovation further solidifying Lagos Innovates’ role as a catalyst in building a robust startup ecosystem. This reinforces LSETF’s commitment to showcase innovation and close the gender gap in technology and investment.”
Also, the Managing General Partner at AfriGloCal VC, Ms Mope Abudu, noted that the programme creates a “strong pipeline of women who are ready to lead, invest, and scale businesses that solve real problems.”
The Executive Secretary of LSETF, Ms Feyisayo Alayande, said, “We must keep creating an ecosystem that backs women, builds women, and bets on women. At LSETF, we remain fully committed to providing opportunities for them to thrive, scale, and shape the future of Lagos and beyond.”
The Technical Advisor on Digital and Entrepreneurial Skills for Women at GIZ Digital Transformation Centre, Gbeke Oshinowo, stated that, “Each of these women is rewriting the narrative of what’s possible for women in technology and business in Nigeria, and we are proud to support programs that unlock this kind of transformation.”
The First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, represented by Oyinkan Osiyemi, submitted that, “When women are given the tools, mentorship, and opportunities, they not only grow, they uplift communities and shape the future.”
This view was corroborated by the acting Board Chair of LSETF, Mrs Adepeju Adebajo, who reiterated that, “When women are involved in business, they don’t just participate, they transform and innovate. Their ideas, resilience, and leadership bring new solutions to the table and drive meaningful change across industries.”
The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, on her part, remarked that, “Empowering women is smart economics and a catalyst for progress. Programs like this align with our vision to create opportunities for women to thrive in business, technology, and beyond. Partnerships between the public and private sectors will remain central to achieving these goals.”