The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (Lagos Innovates) and AfriGloCal VC Celebrate Second Female Founders and Funders Demo Day

 

The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) through its Lagos Innovates program in partnership with AfriGloCal VC and with the support of the GIZ Digital Transformation Center hosted the Demo Day for the second edition of the Female Founders and Funders Program on Friday, July 11, 2025.  

This event marked the conclusion of an inspiring eight-week journey for 17 female startup founders and 20 aspiring female funders, who through workshops, mentorship, peer-to-pear learning developed critical skills for scaling businesses, strengthen their networks, and unlock access to funding opportunities.  

In his opening remarks, Ifeoluwa Martins, Head of Startups at Lagos Innovates, spoke on the evolution and impact of the program. “This second cohort has taken the vision of the Female Founders and Funders Program to new heights. Over the past eight weeks, we’ve seen remarkable resilience, bold ideas, and a commitment to innovation further solidifying Lagos Innovates' role as a catalyst in building a robust startup ecosystem. This reinforces LSETF’s commitment to showcase innovation and close the gender gap in technology and investment.” he said.  

Mope Abudu, Managing General Partner at AfriGloCal VC, reflected on the broader vision of the initiative. “This program goes beyond training. It is about creating a strong pipeline of women who are ready to lead, invest, and scale businesses that solve real problems. Seeing this second cohort pitch, collaborate, and grow has been truly inspiring,” she stated. 

Feyisayo Alayande, Executive Secretary, LSETF, emphasized the Fund’s commitment to advancing women-led enterprises. “Today is both a celebration and a renewed call to action. We must keep creating an ecosystem that backs women, builds women, and bets on women. At LSETF, we remain fully committed to providing opportunities for them to thrive, scale, and shape the future of Lagos and beyond,” she affirmed. 

Gbeke Oshinowo, Technical Advisor on Digital and Entrepreneurial Skills for Women and at GIZ Digital Transformation Center, commended the participants for their bold contributions to inclusive innovation: “At GIZ-DTC, we believe that empowering women in tech and entrepreneurship is key to building resilient and future-ready economies. Each of these women is rewriting the narrative of what’s possible for women in technology and business in Nigeria, and we are proud to support programs that unlock this kind of transformation.” 

Representing the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, Oyinkan Osiyemi acknowledged the progress made since the inception of the program. “Being part of the first Female Founders and Funders Program and standing here today at its second edition shows how far we have come and how much more we can achieve. When women are given the tools, mentorship, and opportunities, they not only grow, they uplift communities and shape the future,” she noted. 

Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo, Acting Board Chair of LSETF, highlighted the transformative power of female leadership. “When women are involved in business, they don’t just participate, they transform and innovate. Their ideas, resilience, and leadership bring new solutions to the table and drive meaningful change across industries.” she remarked. 

Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive economic growth. “Empowering women is smart economics and a catalyst for progress. Programs like this align with our vision to create opportunities for women to thrive in business, technology, and beyond. Partnerships between the public and private sectors will remain central to achieving these goals,” she said. 

The highlight of the day was a live pitch session by six promising startups: Ule Homes, House of Zibima, Hub Pharm Africa, Wakamedics, Varsity Africa, and Autogirl. Each founder demonstrated creativity, market insight, and business resilience. Wakamedics emerged as the overall winner, with Hub Pharm Africa and Ule Homes taking first and second runner-up positions respectively. All three received cash prizes to support the growth of their ventures. 

The Demo Day attracted key figures from government, the private sector, development organizations, and the innovation ecosystem, all united by a common goal to promote inclusion and strengthen opportunities for women in tech. 

As this edition concludes, the Female Founders and Funders Program continues to stand as a vital platform for equipping women with the tools to lead, invest, and create solutions that transform industries. It remains a strong example of how collaboration can build a more inclusive innovation economy for Lagos and beyond.