In its continuous efforts to foster the growth of technology ecosystem, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), would showcase Nigeria’s ICT innovation at the 2018 Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX 2018).

Mrs Hadiza Umar, the Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations, said that the event would provide a platform for accelerating investment-ready startups.

GITEX is an annual Information and Communication Technology trade show, exhibition and conference schedule to hold at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates from Oct.14 to Oct. 18.

It aims at showcasing the global technological advancements and innovations in the domain of consumer electronics.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NITDA is a Federal Government agency established in April 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology policy and coordinate general IT development and regulation.

Umar said that it would also expose them to international investors, networking opportunities, partnerships and access to witness emerging technologies that were changing the world.

”Previous attendance has recorded several successes with Nigerian startups coming top in pitching sessions and winning cash prizes as well as acceleration opportunities.

”Generally, startups have reported encouraging feedback on the effect of GITEX to their businesses.

”NITDA’s subsidiary, the Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIIE), coordinates startups’ participation at the event.

”This year, the process started with a call for pitch deck submission from technology and technology enabled startups on July 24 through our websites, social media platforms, traditional media, broadcast messages and emails,” she said in a statement.

According to her, due to the wide reach of the call for application, over 500 submissions were received.

She said rigorous selection was carried out in three stages with judges drawn from the government Ministries, Departments and parastatal Agencies (MDAs), Technology Hubs, academia, investors, professional associations and the ICT industry.

”In the first stage, idea stage startups were disqualified, resulting into the shortlisting of 143 startups with technology products or technology enabled enterprisers for the second stage.

”The second stage of the selection was a critical review of the successful stage one pitch decks based on criteria such as innovativeness, the startup is solving a real life problem, business model, traction, competitive advantage and team structure.

” In the third and final stage, online pitching was conducted for two startups from each region and the best six startups emerged and represent the six geopolitical regions,’’ Umar said. (NAN)