When the founders of Jumia started out more than
four years ago. They could only imagine how the future looked like. Although
they’ve sold the company but the idea they brought into life is now a living
proof that startups can do very well. While a lot of people are familiar with
the word startup, most are still unsure about what it really means. According
the Wikipedia, a startup is an entrepreneurial venture which is typically a
newly emerged fast growing business that aims to meet a marketplace by
developing or offering an innovative product, process or service. Although the
growth of a startup depends on the founders and their model. Many Nigerian
ventures have made giant and commendable strides.
As startups continue to be associated with the Tech
Space (which is more often), this may be true considering that these businesses
are designed to grow quickly by capturing a very large market. Several people
have misconceptions about new businesses being a form of startup, while this
belief remains a fallacy, because small businesses are always built on existing
business models and are meant to target fairly fixed markets. Thus they cannot
be called as such. An overwhelming number of startups have emerged over the
years most of which are concentrated in the south (west) region. The north in
its entity has little to flaunt in this respect.
When Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook was in
the country, his first choice of visit was Lagos (southwest) which is renown
not only in Nigeria to host some of the brains in IT. Shouldn’t the North be
bothered? Why has it always been ignored from the highlights of the Tech industry?
I believe the reason can be traced to the low level of participation by the
northerners. Every day I get carried away and enchanted by one startup or the
other from the south. I have seen startups like Kangpe, ArtNigeria and
Shuttlers represent Nigeria at the international level. Others like Andela, Jangilova,
CashEnvoy, Showroom.ng and Hotels.ng are also doing well. I’ve seen several
events and hubs that have immensely developed the startup mentality of many
youths. These are the types of development I want. This is what all region and
political zones should be doing as part of our contribution to increase the
National GDP. As is it clear the former way (Oil) is no longer feasible.
As the entrepreneur and author of zero to one, Peter
Thiel said “technology is miraculous, because it allows you to do more with
less” My advice to the Northern brethren is to look beyond the misfortunes and
lack of opportunities. You must build your dream from scratch and sacrifice for
it, because you have the most important ingredient, technology. You may have
the idea, but one man cannot build a castle. It is imperative that you meet,
gather together to discuss, share, connect, build, develop and grow together.
You can form groups, create hubs or organize events to attract like minds and
investors. This should be a movement and a struggle as it has been an effective
method of making exponential breakthroughs and achievements. The startup idea
is not cumbersome or lumbering. You can adapt the principles of the Lean
Startup which was pioneered by the great entrepreneur Eric Ries. It is never
too late to join the bandwagon of creative and innovative Nigerians.
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