The Facebook Accelerator in Lagos empowers twelve Nigerian and Ghanaian startups with funding and mentorship to build advanced technology solutions.
The Facebook Accelerator Lagos, in partnership with Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), has officially launched its second season. This initiative supports students and entrepreneurs in West Africa who are building locally relevant solutions using advanced technology.
Based at the NG_Hub in Nigeria, the program provides a critical launchpad for innovation. This year’s cohort is particularly notable as it expanded its reach, welcoming talented Ghanaian innovators alongside Nigerian teams.
Funding and Technical Support
The six-month program is designed to empower visionary applicants. This year, the cohort consists of eight startups and four student teams. To help these teams scale, the program provides significant financial backing:
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Startup Teams: Receive $20,000 in equity-free funding.
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Student Teams: Receive $10,000 in equity-free funding.
Beyond capital, participants gain access to technical and business mentors from both Facebook and the CcHUB network. They also benefit from a dedicated working space at the NG_Hub to foster collaboration and growth.
Leveraging Advanced Technologies
The 2019 cohort is focused on solving complex local problems through “deep tech.” Throughout the residency, these teams will utilize a variety of advanced tools, including:
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science
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Internet of Things (IoT)
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Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
By integrating these technologies, the startups aim to improve efficiency across sectors like healthcare, education, and logistics.
Fintech, Logistics, and Security Solutions
Several startups in this year’s program are tackling the infrastructure of commerce and security in West Africa.
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Appruve: A financial data API that helps services onboard and verify customer identities while analyzing transaction data.
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Chekkit: Provides anti-counterfeit services for food and pharmaceuticals, ensuring smart and traceable authentication from warehouse to consumer.
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Curacel: An intelligent platform for health insurance companies that speeds up claim processing and detects fraud.
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Haulr: An IoT and AI-powered platform that tracks trucking operations in real-time to prevent cargo theft and boost efficiency.
Transforming Education through EdTech
Education remains a primary focus for the 2019 cohort, with three teams using digital tools to bridge the learning gap for African students.
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Simbi Interactives: Uses “maieutic learning” to make quality education affordable and accessible to all students.
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Gradely: Employs analytics to help parents and schools identify learning gaps through adaptive weekly homework tests.
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G E S A L: Leverages AR to visualize complex 3D diagrams and deploy virtual laboratory tools for secondary students.
Health and Connectivity Innovations
Improving physical well-being and digital access is a core mission for several teams in this season’s Facebook Accelerator.
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VMEDKIT: A social enterprise using Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) to increase access to mental healthcare.
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Vinsighte: Utilizes computer vision and sonar technology to help the visually impaired read and navigate their environments.
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VNTS: A hardware and software company building consumer devices tailored to solve persistent internet connectivity issues.
Industrial Solutions and IoT Development
The final group of innovators focuses on industrial safety and simplifying the development of new hardware.
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InventOne: A graphical programming interface that allows engineers and hobbyists to build and deploy IoT solutions with little to no code.
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Mus-comm Spill-Sat: An advanced detection system for oil spills and gas leaks. It uses balloon satellites to collect aerial data and provide real-time analytics for energy companies.
