UNILAG Student Secures Coveted Spot in Swiss Residency Program, Headed to Switzerland with 11 Others

Taiwo Damilola Yussuf, a student from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has secured a coveted spot in a Residency Programme for startups in Switzerland, alongside 11 other entrepreneurs from Africa.

Mar 15, 2024 - 13:26

UNILAG Student Secures Coveted Spot in Swiss Residency Program, Headed to Switzerland with 11 Others

Taiwo Damilola Yussuf, a student of the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), pursuing a Master’s degree in Process Engineering (MPE), has achieved a significant milestone by earning a coveted spot in a Residency Programme for promising startups in Switzerland.

In a rigorous and highly competitive pitching session, twenty African startups, including two from UNILAG, presented their innovative business ideas to academia and industry-based experts for a chance to participate in a 10-day business development roadshow in Switzerland. This opportunity, provided by the University of Basel (Universität Basel) in Switzerland and its partners, offers selected startups a platform for global outreach.

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Out of the ninety proposals received, twenty startups from various fields were shortlisted for consideration. Notably, five were from Nigeria (with two from UNILAG), two were from Rwanda, and thirteen were from South Africa.

Following the presentations at the Academia-Industry Training (AIT) Swiss Africa Conference 2024, twelve startups were chosen by evaluators from academia and industry to participate in the Residency Program in Switzerland. Among the winners are:

1. Nanosene (Gestél Kuyler) – South Africa

2. Medsol AI Solutions (Kathryn Malherbe) – South Africa

3. Newform Foods (Brett Thompson) – South Africa

4. De Novo Foodlabs (Leah Wilson Bessa) – South Africa

5. Evet Africa (Stephen Obe) – Nigeria

6. Iraka Biotech (Cornelius Cano Ssemakalu) – South Africa

7. Urobo Biotech (Marthinus Wessel Myburgh) – South Africa

8. Global Health Biotech (Shirley Keolebogile Caroline Motaung) – South Africa

9. Algaeholix (Helene Nel) – South Africa

10. TY-DAMI Energy Resources (Taiwo Yussuf) – Nigeria

11. Loopa (Ghislain Dukuze) – Rwanda

12. LenoKids (Sange Mafinyongwana) – South Africa

Taiwo Damilola Yussuf's achievement highlights the caliber of talent and innovation emerging from UNILAG and Nigeria as a whole. His success serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and underscores the importance of fostering a conducive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation within academic institutions.