Andela, NairaBet, SimplePay & more… SEE the top 10 most influential Nigerian start-ups in 2014

by ‘Seyi Albert

CcHub Lagos

Influence: the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself. – Google

It is important that brands are influential to survive, to be competitive, and in effect take market leadership; Niche or collective. Have you met anyone who used a Mac and had to use a Windows PC afterwards? Hellish right?

And that’s how the Mac swamped its market share; buying high stakes in the stocks of the user’s emotional valuation, creating exclusiveness and buzz and influencing the way the user works.

Here are 10 startups in Nigeria who have done just that in 2014.

**These companies are not all founded in 2014. The scope of this post looks in perspective at what significant level these startups are in 2014, definitive features that they have introduced into their fields and how, consequently, they have affected the way people used to interact with products and services in the past. Nevertheless, there is a popularity stitch to the selection of these companies. After all, influential people are usually popular.**

 

Hotels.ng

Hitherto, it was difficult to travel anywhere in Nigeria for the first time as you’d likely have burned 20% (or more) of your travelling budget on making calls and enquiries regarding lodgment and other information about the location you intended travelling to.

If you happened to be travelling during a festive season, chances are that you may end up camping in your car (if you have one) as most inns may have been fully booked, or you may be left with no other option but to lie in a manger. And since you’re not the one birthing Jesus, you’d have been at the mercy of random happenstance like theft, kidnap, and violent attack.

Hotels.ng came into the hotel booking space and created a reliable and affordable solution for travelers and tourists. This year, the company vividly stamped its market leadership, capturing 6000 hotels in its check-in roll. In street lingo they say, “no be beans”.

 

Konga

“Startup” does not necessarily mean business infancy. In strict technical sense, companies are still regarded start up until IPO. Reason why Konga is here.

The Company is the mother of ecommerce in Nigeria. Although at logger heads with the ever fierce competition that is Jumia, Konga arguably floats atop in user statistic.

This year, it recorded gargantuan records in its Fall Yakata (Black Friday) promotions, beating its competitors to their game. People who confessed to never trust online transactions could not resist the offer and twitter Nigeria bore witness to the cataclysmic (in positive shades tho).

PS: What does Konga mean?

 

Andela

A Google check on this startup may lead you to a WIRED publication with the title, “This Company is Paying Students to Learn”. And yes, that’s what Andela does.

The visionary company has been regarded as the most promising Nigerian Tech startup as it aims to train the next generation of programmers for global export.

Andela uses a top rate curriculum and is saving many programmers that would have been struggling to stack web codes from meagre enclaves and positioning them in pockets of global relevance. Moreso, for enterprises that complain of having to deal with slaggard coders, the startup has become Amazing Grace.

 

TechCabal

Media is tough business in Nigeria and the want to earn rapidly influences the fade from relevance over time. This startup came into the tech media game and in a short time raised the bar, sending many of its legacy close coy to the cleaners. It’s still a long walk to freedom, but for 2014 give it to the doyen of Tech journalism in Nigeria.

 

TheCable

Another journalism outfit. TheCable is an independent online newspaper that uniques itself in its ability to delve into the grassroots level of matters that may be suffering economic and political abandon. Talk Chibok, Sambisa, The BBOG campaigns, and various Northern Chaosness, TheCable was one of the strongest voices of echo.

Recently the founder of the startup, Fisayo Soyombo, who is also the major force behind most of the reporting in the outfit, was awarded by Prof. Wole Soyinka as the best investigative journalist/reporter of the year.

WeCyclers

Shit business is real business – Otunba Gadaffi (RIP)

Waste companies are not new, even state governments have had them for years. However enhancing the face of the game, creating an inclusive solution that incites participation from low-income households and even rewards them for packaging waste for recycle, and rejuvenating waste in a significantly different way is what WeCyclers brings on board.

WeCyclers is a game changer.

 

Printivo

This startup is arguably the Hercules of commercial prints in Nigeria. All you had to do was send them your graphic design and they’ll cater for everything else regarding your print work. Even delivery.

This year the company raised the bar by creating a solution that is fast and more affordable in the aspects regarding graphic design. So in effect, you do not need a graphic designer anymore. Just log on to Printivo’s website, pick a template, fill in your details and cabooom! Delivery man knocks on your door. In case you do not prefer the design templates available, there are more customizable features.

 

NairaBet

The King of online betting in Nigeria. NairaBet has edged past religious enclave to give people a valid reason to bet. And the subtle way it does it is pure addictive. You don’t need to bring on all the cash you have. You’ve got only #20? You’re welcome. Take a sit.

The success of this startup has influenced the rise of competition in varying folds and capacity. However, the Company still stands like the base of a roman stadia, squinting its eyes, bulging its shoulders high, and snorting heavy breaths in the rage of Xerxes.

Daily Sports Betting evaluation stands at #1.8Billion in Nigeria with participation from 60 million people.

 

SimplePay

Aside the behemoth that is Interswitch, through its varying outlets like WebPay and Quickteller, SimplePay was the headline Constantine of 2014. The startup expanded the scope of its service and increased user base significantly.

The company is not the only brand providing small payments solution, but for 2014 the startup held the grounds.

 

Inceptum Services

Inceptum is not very popular but is a budding force to reckon with.
The Startup helps youth brands gain solid entry, access and market edge in tertiary institutions in Nigeria through a student contest model tagged “The Campus Enterprise Challenge”. The company calls the process Campus Activation.

The process involves creating tasks for students (in teams) to contest in based on the strategic intent of the brand.

The contest has held in the University of Ibadan, The University of Benin, and The University of Calabar this year and has worked with Nestle, GSK, and CEI, University of Ibadan.

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