In a triumphant outcome, TruQ, a logistics startup specializing in optimizing mid-mile logistics throughout Africa, emerged as the victor in the TC Startup Battlefield competition. This victory secured a substantial ₦2.5 million cash prize for TruQ, outshining nine other competitors. Meanwhile, Jamit, a social audio network, claimed the runner-up position, earning ₦1.5 million.
The stage for this competition was set at the recently concluded flagship Moonshot Conference organized by TechCabal. The TC Battlefield competition is a platform dedicated to highlighting the innovative solutions offered by local startups, to present them to a global audience.
The inaugural edition of this competition, generously sponsored by Kwakol, exclusively featured Nigerian startups. These included Flickwheel, an automotive tech startup; Stackjunior, an ed-tech platform; Powerful Technology Limited; Royalty.io, a music cataloging startup; Jamit, a social audio network; Payslice, a fintech startup; Fless, a financial management platform catering to small business owners; Belarush, a food delivery startup; TruQ, the logistics startup in question; and Deepbux, a service tailored for the growth of startups.
The judging panel for this competition included notable experts in the startup ecosystem. This panel was presided over by Hope Dilthakanyane, an investment principal at Founders Factory Africa. Other panelists included Nela Ekpenyong, who serves as the head of the portfolio at Ingressive Capital; Uwem Uwemakpan, the head of investments at Launch Africa VC Fund II; and Gloria Okorie, a venture partner at Republic.
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The Impressive Streak of TruQ Persists
The CEO of TruQ, Williams Fatayo, expressed his elation at the victory, considering it a validation of the startup’s dedicated efforts. It’s worth noting that this isn’t TruQ’s first taste of success, as the startup was previously selected as a recipient of the 2023 Google Black Founders Fund.
Additionally, TruQ had participated in the Techstars 2022 accelerator program and the V8 Growth Labs. According to Fatayo, this win coincides with an upcoming seed raise announcement from the startup in the days to come.
Similarly, Jamit’s co-founder and CEO, Ike Orizu, was visibly proud of the company’s accomplishments, seeing it as a testament to the hard work and unwavering commitment of his team. In a discussion with the media, Orizu revealed that the prize money would be reinvested in the company.
Beyond the monetary gain, Orizu emphasized that Jamit had experienced an upsurge in global recognition and publicity, captivating both local and international audiences.
Conclusion
Launched in 2018 by Stan Agbadugo and Ike Orizu, Jamit positions itself as “the African podcaster’s platform, crafted with affection from Africa, for African podcast enthusiasts and creators.”
The startup’s journey began with the release of its first podcast in 2019, gradually expanding into podcast production and distribution, eventually evolving into a podcast platform in 2020.
Orizu pointed out that the startup currently boasts a community of over 170 creators on its platform and has established partnerships with industry giants such as Dolby and Sony.
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