Advancing the e-Mobility Innovation Hackathon: Oando’s Collaborative Endeavors with GFA Technologies
In the buildup of the Nigerian e-Mobility Innovation Hackathon that was held on the 28th of March, 2024, Oando Clean Energy Ltd.(OCEL) has invited four out of the eight startups that participated in the Hackathon, to an exclusive pitch session and possible collaboration towards the enhancement of ecosystem sustainability.
The Nigerian e-Mobility Innovation Hackathon is an initiative put together by GFA Technologies in collaboration with Microsoft, with prominent sponsors like Oando plc (OCEL) and Sterling Bank. The hackathon primarily aims to explore innovative and groundbreaking ways to culminate ecosystem sustainability and provide the startups with the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge, resources and networks necessary to; Get matched and work with the largest corporate companies in Nigeria, access new markets, access investors and funding, build scalable solutions & infrastructure, and develop their business skills.
The pitch session, which was held on 10th June 2024, showcased each startup’s vision and strategy for shaping the future of e-mobility in Nigeria. The session was overseen by key figures from Oando Clean Energy Ltd including Olayemi Olomo (Corporate Service), Temitope Edun (Vice President, Projects & Infrastructure), Alero Balogun (General Manager, Business Support Group), and Segun Obagbemi (Head of Corporate Communications). The session also had important figures from GFA present including Tunji Oke (Co-founder & CCO), Grace Oluwalola (Head of HR & COO), and Elizabeth Nbanuzue (Head of Programs & Learning).
Four startups were invited from the hackathon based on their innovative approaches to electric mobility:
- Helggs – This startup emerged as 1st runner-up at the e-Mobility Hackathon and was called upon again for its innovative ideas. Led by Johnson Jaiyeola, Helgg uses software to aggregate access to cheaper transportation methods, mostly EVs. Their solution showcases a remarkable blend of creativity and practicality, offering tangible benefits to the burgeoning EV market. Helggs also are championing electric scooters and are hoping to increase their presence in more tertiary institutions and estates across Africa. This startup’s project exemplified the essence of forward-thinking entrepreneurship in the realm of e-Mobility, with a strong emphasis on scalability and market viability.
- Trekk Scooters – who presented their pitch session virtually, emerged as the winner of the e-Mobility Hackathon. Trekk Scooters presented once again their innovative solutions aimed at revolutionizing electric scooter technology. Trekk Scooters leverages e-scooters within academic, industrial and residential communities in Lagos State. The winner’s impressive project focuses on efficiency, affordability, and environmental impact, standing as a beacon of innovation in the e-Mobility domain.
- Tonicelli – Specializing in electric battery charging solutions, Tonicelli pitched its fleet management solution for electric vehicles, optimizing battery health, charging efficiency, and predictive maintenance with precision and ease. Tonicelli aims to address critical infrastructure gaps in sustainable energy.
- Greengo – Focused on electric battery technologies, Greengo aims to provide EVs for a more sustainable environment and also provide state of the art solar powered EV charging network infrastructure. The startup pitched that its solution provides little or no maintenance cost to the operators, and increases the operators’ generated income to about 50% of their monthly earnings.
By all indications, each presentation from each startup could facilitate an inbound collaboration with Oando plc (OCEL) which promises to unlock new opportunities for these startups, providing access to Oando’s extensive network, resources, and market expertise. Particularly, the collaboration will underscore Oando’s dedication to fostering innovation-driven solutions that propel Nigeria towards a greener and more sustainable future.
While Oando has not given a verdict on which of the startups they would love to work with, we look forward to greater opportunities in collaboration and achieving the goals of the e-Mobility ecosystem.
As the momentum from the e-Mobility Hackathon continues to reverberate, the EV industry eagerly anticipates the tangible outcomes of these collaborations. With Oando plc leading the charge, the stage is set for transformative changes in the realm of electric mobility, reaffirming Nigeria’s position as a hub for innovation in Africa.
