| Amanze Majesty
The third edition of the Babcock Innovation Challenge (BIC) 3.0, a hallmark event under the Babcock Entrepreneurship Development Centre (BEDC) in collaboration the Babcock University Student Entrepreneurship Club (BUSEC) marked another significant milestone in the university's commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The challenge was a remarkable showcase of creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and problem-solving prowess among students of Babcock University. This year's challenge brought together some of the brightest minds to address real-world challenges with sustainable solutions.
The event attracted thirty [30] innovative minds who pitched groundbreaking ideas across diverse fields. After rigorous rounds of evaluation, five [5] finalists emerged from the pool of participants, presenting their ideas to an esteemed panel of judges in the grand finale. The panel featured industry experts, academics, and alumni entrepreneurs who assessed each team based on creativity, feasibility, scalability, and the potential for societal impact.
Event Highlights
- The Vice-Chancellor's address: The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ademola S. Tayo, in his address, emphasized the University's unwavering support for innovation and entrepreneurship. He assured that the instituition remains committed to provide necessary backing for viable proposals and ideas that could drive societal progress and economic development.
- The Judges address: Comprising seasoned professionals and industry experts including Peter Adeyemi, CEO Cubbes, Israel Kehinde, CEO Lockbook, and Chinazom Arinze, CEO Autogirl, provided invaluable feedback and insights during the event. They also addressed the participants, encouraging them to continue refining their ideas and pursuing excellence in their entrepreneurial journeys.
- Workshops & Mentorship: Participants attended preparatory workshops facilitated by industry experts and mentors who provided insights into crafting compelling business pitches, enhanced their business acumen and improved their presentation skills.
- Pitch Sessions: The five [5] finalists competed for the price as they pitched their ideas to the panel of judges.
- Networking & Funding Opportunities: Participants had the chance to interact with potential investors, industry leaders, and stakeholders from diverse sectors, expanding their entrepreneurial networks and providing opportunities for collaboration and support beyond the competition.
WINNING TEAMS & PROJECTS
Of the five [5] finalists,three [3] emerged as winners and were awarded prizes, recognizing their exceptional ingenuity and feasibility of their projects. The winners include;
- First Prize (#1,000,000): Prepbase AI – An ed-tech platform that generates real-time quizzes, feedback, summaries, and topic-related ideas from user-uploaded study materials to enhance learning.
- Second Prize (#750,000): Serenimind – A mental health tech platform for tracking mood, accessing resources, and connecting with support teams and specialized professionals.
- Third Prize (#500,000): Acad AI – An AI-powered testing system designed to assist lecturers with grading quizzes and exams, featuring a flexible and customizable grading system.
The Babcock Innovation Challenge 3.0 was a resounding success, highlighting the transformative potential of youth-driven innovation in addressing societal challenges. The initiative aligns strongly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 4: Quality Education – By encouraging students to develop innovative business ideas, the challenge fosters a culture of creativity and problem-solving, promoting lifelong learning and academic excellence.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Through its focus on entrepreneurship, the challenge equips participants with the tools to create new businesses, driving job creation and economic prosperity.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The competition inspires the development of groundbreaking technologies and solutions, building a foundation for sustainable industry and infrastructure.
Babcock University remains committed to empowering its students and will continue hosting future editions of the challenge, offering an even greater platform to nurture and showcase impactful entrepreneurs.