The need for investors and government at all levels to create a conducive business environment for startup to succeed, will be at the centre of a week long conference in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Bereni D. Fiberesima, who spoke on behalf of the organisers of the event, disclosed to Africa Update, that the conference with the theme – ‘from Oil to Tech- Connecting the dots to the new Industrial era’, will commence today, December 26 and will seek to galvanize ideas from notable resource persons, who would proffer solutions to the startup ecosystem in Port Harcourt.
His words: ‘Startup Port Harcourt Week is more than a conference, it is a celebration! This annual event will bring together leading and budding founders from within and outside Port Harcourt, as well as local leaders, innovators, thought/change leaders, and friends, together over seven days to build momentum, explore opportunities, and tackle together the many challenges of the startup ecosystem in Port Harcourt.
‘The core mission of Startup Port Harcourt Week is to celebrate outstanding entrepreneurial endeavours, develop and support the growing startup ecosystem in the city, and create a path for startups to scale to modern day corporations.
‘Over the course of the week, speakers from within and outside Port Harcourt will be brought in to share their stories to motivate and inspire the startup community. Participants will be able to select the tracks they feel most relevant to them and choose speakers based on those tracks.
“Startups from Port Harcourt and outside will have the chance to exhibit their products and services and enjoy press and investor attention. We hope that after the conference, participants and speakers will feel more connected to the city and no longer feel alone in their efforts.
“This critical support network can make the difference between closing up shop anushing through the challenges to success.
Port Harcourt in the New Industrial Era
‘Port Harcourt is Nigeria’s oil and gas capital, and has relied mostly on its petro-dollar economy for more than 5 decades. An acute drop in the price of oil could have grave impact on not just Port Harcourt, but Nigeria and her neighbours. As the world experiences an industrial revolution fuelled by tech, the threat to the value of oil seems more apparent. Port Harcourt must diversify quickly in order to remain afloat.
‘The digital economy has unlocked tremendous economic potentials across the world. Tech firms like Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Microsoft have replaced firms like Royal Dutch Shell, BP, General Electric and Citi Group, from the list of valuable companies.
‘Africa is beginning to experience the ripple and cities like Lagos, Nairobi, Kigali and Johannesburg are fast becoming homes to successful startups and future corporations. History shows that the early bloomers of an industrial revolution get the biggest opportunities, and remain dominant players for the most part of that industrial era. The golden opportunities of this industrial era, may not be available for too long.
‘Port Harcourt, and the Niger Delta, was not prepared for the oil era, and paid dearly, when agitation of disgruntled youth in the region reached its peak, resulting in insecurity, a breakdown of the social fabric, loss of investments and a drop in Nigeria’s GDP.
‘A worse situation could occur if oil loses its value, and the rippling effect would spread across West Africa and beyond. On the other hand, a good and well executed plan for the digital economy would leapfrog the city and boost its economy within a very short time.
‘Port Harcourt has the potential to thrive in the digital economy, and to be a conducive habitat for modern day startups and corporations. With over 7 tertiary educational institutions within its proximity, an educated population, a large expat community, a strong diaspora network, infrastructure and amenities developed from the petrodollar era and the rise of innovation hubs across the city, Port Harcourt is well positioned to transform itself to a dominant player in the new industrial era.
‘Startup Port Harcourt Week serves as the catalyst, to connect the dots and set the city on the path to becoming Africa’s preferred destination for startups and unicorns.
Welcome to the future!
#oiltotech
#startupphweek
Startup Port Harcourt Week 2017
November 26 – December 2
Theme: From Oil to Tech – Connecting the Dots to the New Industrial Era
Schedule
Sunday November 26
3:30 pm
Super Startup Sunday
Venue: The Elkan Terrace (Conference Room)
Admission: Free
Monday November 27
8:00 am
Ease of Doing Business Hackathon
Venue: The Elkan Terrace (Conference Room)
Admission: Strictly by invitation
9:00 am
Innovation Tour – A visit to some innovation hubs in Port Harcourt. Kick off point The Elkan Terrace
Bubbles Cowork
Snappy Lab
Strategic Hub
ICE Hub
Yelocode
Rudigo
Olotu Square
Ken Saro Wiwa Innovation Hub
Admission: Free
7:00 pm
After Hours/Developers Meetup
Tuesday November 28
10:00 am
Innov8 Port Harcourt
Venue: Port Harcourt Book Centre (Beside Air Assault Golf Course)
Admission: Free
7:00 pm
After Hours/New Media Meetup
Wednesday November 29
10:00 am
Women Tech Founders Meetup
Venue: The Elkan Terrace (Conference Room)
Admission: Strictly by invitation
7:00 pm
After Hours
Thursday November 30
10:00 am
Startup Port Harcourt Conference & Exhibition
Venue: The Azny Place, Louis Drive off Sani Abacha Road GRA Phase 3
Admission: Free
7:00 pm
After Hours
Friday December 1
10:00 am
Startup Port Harcourt Town Hall Meeting
Venue: Port Harcourt Book Centre (Beside Air Assault Golf Course)
Admission: Strictly by invitation
7:00 pm
After Hours/Investors Meetup
Saturday December 2
Venue: Port Harcourt Pleasure Park
7:00 am
FITFAM
Novelty Football Match between Startup Port Harcourt and Corporate Port Harcourt
‘All work and no workout makes Mark a dull CEO’
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Bole & Fish Festival
‘Life in Port Harcourt is incomplete without Bole & Fish’
1:00 pm
Book Club – The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Prof Klaus Schwab
Entrance fee: N500
#oiltotech
#startupphweek
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