Temie Giwa-Tubosun won the winner of Jack Ma Foundation’s Africa Netpreneur Prize. She was also named ‘Africa’s Business Hero’ during the maiden Annual Prize for African startups at Accra Ghana on the 16th of November 2019.
Thank you Mr. Ma! Let them know that we are who we’ve been waiting for! We will continue to do the work and show them that greatness is evenly distributed! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VvV1Jzz8Oa
— Temie Giwa-Tubosun (@temite) November 17, 2019
Temie Giwa-Tubosun is the founder and CEO of Lifebank, an on-demand medical delivery startup in Nigeria. The business was founded in 2016 as a result of her encounter with post-natal maternal mortality caused by postpartum hemorrhage (extensive blood loss after birth). Lifebank mobilizes from blood banks and supplies to clinics and hospitals across Nigeria.
See Also: 10 African Techpreneurs Emerge Finalists of Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative
She was part of the 10 finalists selected amidst 10000 applicants from across the 54 African countries. At the inaugural Africa Netpreneur Prize, all ten participated in a five-hour pitch contest. Temie won the $250000 cash prize at the end of the eight-month program. She also announced that LifeBank will start using drones to deliver blood to patients that are difficult to reach.
It’s a beautiful moment for @temite of @lifebanknigeria, who takes home the top #ANPI2019 Africa Business Hero Award! 🔥 You showed up and made Africa proud. pic.twitter.com/mDngVRejhE
— Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (@AFNetpreneurs) November 16, 2019
Omar Sakr, the founder and CEO of Nawah-Scientific received $150,000 for second place, while Christelle Kwizera, the founder of Water Access Rwanda received $100,000 for taking third place. The remaining seven finalists also received $65,000 each.
The Africa Netpreneur Prize is an initiative of the Jack Ma Foundation. It recognizes African entrepreneurs that provide business solutions for the continent and beyond. The initiative aims to award $1 million to support a total of 100 businesses for the next 10 years. Applications for next year’s contest will open in the first half of 2020.
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