i-FAIR
i-FAIR 3 Call for Nominations
Closing Date - 10th June 2023
Calling selected VCs, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Hubs, Incubators and Programs, to nominate candidates for the 3rd edition of i-FAIR!
We want to join forces with you to help entrepreneurs/startups and innovators, take their product development to the next level.
If any of your entrepreneurs/startups or innovators is developing a solution that can solve one or more of Africa’s challenges, and falls in one of i-FAIR’s Areas of Focus, has a strong value proposition, proven demand, ideally includes a hardware component (not a must), and is ready to develop a prototype, or in the process of product development; nominate them for i-FAIR 3.
i-FAIR will provide them with access to the technology, machinery and expertise needed, in order to take their product development to the next level; including the development of functioning prototypes/MVPs of their solution, access to funding opportunities and business development mentorship.
About i-FAIR
Welcome to i-FAIR; the program for entrepreneurs and innovators. i-FAIR is an initiative of the Embassy of the State of Israel in Nigeria in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
With the mandate to empower INNOVATORS, INVENTORS, ENTREPRENEURS, and VENTURE CREATORS in Nigeria, i-FAIR was born out of the need to tackle local challenges with innovative made-in-Nigeria solutions; for the overall goal of inspiring Nigeria to become a start-up nation.
Through the 6-month program, i-FAIR provides participants with the necessary resources and support to transform their ideas into innovations and sustainable ventures that can create jobs and generate wealth for Nigerians and Nigeria.
We have successfully implemented 2 editions of i-FAIR, with a total of 63 FELLOWS and 56 PROTOTYPES DEVELOPED. This was achieved in over 1,300 mentorship hours, supporting over 100 ideas and witnessing inspiring success stories of i-FAIR Fellows who have transformed their ideas into ventures such as Thinkbike, Soilless Farm Labs, Quadloop Africa, Eco Circular Solution, who have gone ahead to attract investment and become successful enterprises.
We understand the challenges facing the innovation ecosystem in Nigeria and have identified them as an opportunity to provide relevant, beneficial, and unique support systems to our Fellows.
At the heart of i-FAIR is Innov8 Hub, the implementation partner of i-FAIR, which provides access to their innovation hub, facilities, cutting-edge technology, mentorship and expertise. Selected Participants arrive at i-FAIR at different stages. Some haven’t started developing the product yet, and others have an initial prototype or have been launched for a year or more. Whatever stage a startup is at when they arrive, our goal is to help them to be in significantly better shape 6 months later: to have a better product with better market fit, and to have more options for raising money.
At i-FAIR, we are committed to supporting innovation and empowering aspiring inventors and venture creators in Nigeria, to transform their ideas into Inventions.
Who should Apply?
We are looking for Solutions which:
- Have a clear concept & valid value proposition
- Have completed their initial market validation process
- Will benefit from hands-on support on their product development
- The solution would ideally include a hardware component (not a must)
- In case of an established business-it must be African-owned, majorly-Nigerian-owned business, currently or intending to operate in Nigeria
- Address one of Africa’s challenges and fall within one of our areas of focus
Areas of Focus
FOOD SECURITY (Agriculture and Food Technology)
Solutions that increase productivity as well as address challenges around food processing and supply chain.
HEALTH/MEDICAL DEVICE:
Solutions which will increase the accessibility to proper advanced health care.
EDTECH
Solutions which increase access to proper education suited to the local content and learning environment, including AI in education, learning tools and more.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Solutions that reduce or eliminate waste, from product design to its end of life. For example, utilizing waste by turning it into useful products.
CLEAN ENERGY
Solutions that serve rural and/or peri-urban communities not adequately served by the national grid, addresses a real energy-access issue across any part of the value chain.
MANUFACTURING
Solutions that improve manufacturing/small scale manufacturing capacity.
INFRASTRUCTURE MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE
Solutions that will solve challenges in infrastructure and maintenance, including quality assurance.
OTHERS
If the idea you are passionate about does not fall into any of the above, but has a proven need/demand, please feel free to apply. We know that passionate entrepreneurs with surprising ideas may be the greatests
Process
- VC, Hub or an innovation & entrepreneurship program are invited to nominate candidates by filling our short nomination form. Once the form is filled in, It will provide a link to share with the candidates where they will find the application form which they should fill in.
- Screening process
- Online pitching competition- Shortlisted candidates will pitch to our selection committee which includes investors, stakeholders and experts. Candidates will be assessed based on their value proposition, market needs, entrepreneurial and technical skills.
- Selected teams will enter our product development journey which includes:
- Online office hours and workshops with experts from Innov8 Hub and from our network aimed at validating/improving product market fit & value proposition , providing hands-on support on product development, from product design to production.
- Bootcamps at Innov8 Hub Abuja: depends on stage and readiness – participants will be invited to 1-2 product development bootcamps at Innov8 Hub, which is equipped with high-end technology, machinery and the expertise needed for prototyping and product development, from product design to fabrication.
- Depends on readiness- Access to potential partners for piloting/testing
- Showcase event – exhibition of prototypes/MVPs/products, pitching to investors and potential partners.
- For all in-person bootcamps- travel expenses are sponsored and accommodation and feeding provided.
Benefits
Successful applicants are entitled to the following benefits:
- A unique platform to transform ideas into inventions and develop working prototypes;
- Free access and membership to a modern innovation center where they can work on and develop their prototypes/products with hands-on support of technical experts ;
- Access to a special certificate course and mentoring by accomplished inventors, innovators, and researchers from Nigeria and the State of Israel;
- Exposure to R&D processes and procedures of leading international institutes.
- The opportunity to pitch inventions and prototypes to investors for possible adoption, patronage and partnership;
- For the in-person bootcamps in Abuja, transportation and accommodation will be covered.
- i-FAIR’s support does NOT involve any equity, shares or IP rights on your developments.
- Development of innovations with the potential to address challenges in the Nigerian society.
- Development of Made-In-Nigeria solutions to challenges in Nigeria.
- Economic advancement and wealth creation by way of venture creation.
- Job creation through innovation development, by the transition of innovations into start-ups.
- Introducing Nigerians to technologies, processes and procedures with the capability to solve critical challenges.
- Creating self-sufficiency and productivity within the Nigerian innovation ecosystem.
- Nation-building through innovation, Research & Development, and entrepreneurship.
- Putting Nigeria on the path to becoming a start-up nation.
i-FAIR Vision
Nigeria is blessed with a wide innovation support services ecosystem, including hubs and incubator programs. Most hubs and programs provide great business development support, networking and access to investors. However many startups/entrepreneurs whose solutions include a hardware component, still lack the ability to develop their technology/product locally. i-FAIR seeks to join forces with the innovation support ecosystem and strengthen it by providing entrepreneurs and innovators with the full package that they need to develop their product. From product design, through prototyping to small scale production, i-Fair program optimizes the use of locally sourced materials and encourages production in Nigeria using innovative methods and techniques.
INITIATOR
technical partner
PARTNERs
Tanir Corporation
testimonials
“i-FAIR is an opportunity to understand your ideas, as you get to question your thoughts, align with your ultimate vision and get the privilege to bring it to life with the help of experts. You get to develop a product or service, understand your business model and get access to a network of mentors who you can leverage to build a sustainable profitable business”
Samson Ogbole; Founder - Soilless Farm Labs
“i-FAIR had impacted immensely toward the growth of Quadloop. Although we had an existing prototype, it was not up to the standard we wanted. i-FAIR helped us improve our product design, utilize more electronic waste materials, and increase cost effectiveness. Today, we have a product that is cost effective and of international standard.”
Dozie Igwelu; Founder - Quadloop
“i-FAIR was key to our product development. It was there we got all the missing links to make our product ready for market. We had great sessions with experts from Israel and Nigeria, had 3D design and printing from the labs which formed the basis of our success. I am glad i-FAIR is back to help more Nigerians. PLEASE, take advantage of this rare opportunity.”
Tolulope Olukokun; Founder - ThinkBike
“We came to a place where everywhere my team and I looked, there was an innovator on a grand idea putting in the work to deliver something promising. For us, it was like being a kid in the candy store. We have been empowered with business skills and can’t say enough about what i-FAIR has done for us. We are focused on ensuring these efforts do not go to waste.”
Nathaniel George; Founder - Chest Meter
“Aside from improving my product “ECOceiling Tiles-ceiling tiles made from waste paper, i-FAIR provided me an opportunity to build a business case for my start-up through venture creation classes. Truth be told, I would not have been where I am (my company inclusive) today without the life-long impact of the i-FAIR program. i-FAIR opened me to many opportunities through mentorship and networking. I have won several grants, awards and partnerships both national and international, because the i-FAIR program nurtured me. I am forever grateful.”
Adebayo Babatunde; Founder - Eco Circular Solution
“i-FAIR has been instrumental to the progress we have made so far at EpochZero. Creating our Business Model Canvas and developing our prototype during the bootcamp with expert guidance from mentors has helped to crystallize our idea and put us on the path for more successes. We were admitted into one of the top accelerator programs in the world, US MassChallenge, shortly after i-FAIR. And shortly after US MassChallenge, we were also admitted into the Intel program, Intel oneAPI for Startups as their first ever African program member. We have made significant progress at EpochZero because i-FAIR gave us a platform, when all we had was an idea, and we will always be thankful for the opportunity.
Mayowa Abejirin; Founder - EpochZero
“The i-FAIR program was very transformative, it took my business idea from 1-100. Getting a fully furnished work lab to develop my prototype from scratch, under the mentorship of seasoned experts, remains a huge win for my business.”
Eneyi Oshi; Team Lead - Farmisphere
“i-FAIR has been able to help me automate the local mortar & pestle for ginger processing, thereby increasing my output. Furthermore, I have learned a lot about business enterprises and financials from mentors worldwide on the platform offered by i-FAIR.”
Achi Naujied; Founder - Achi Greens
“The i-FAIR Program was instrumental in assisting my start-up, Mellopads, with prototype development. The program provided us with the resources and assistance we needed to enhance and advance our product development process. In addition to technical assistance, I got crucial business consulting services, mentorship, and networking opportunities that helped me long after the program ended. The organizers of the program have been invaluable in giving continuous assistance and direction to help me overcome the obstacles of running a business. Overall, I strongly suggest the i-FAIR Program to any entrepreneur wishing to accelerate the growth and success of their business. The program offers an unparalleled bundle of resources and support in the business.”