Young Entrepreneurs Get Seed Capital At 2021 SM Jury Conference In Lagos

It was a beehive of activities on the 22^nd of July 2021 as Top Business Leaders converged at the Lagos Oriental Hotel for the 6^th edition of the SM Jury Business Conference, tagged “Becoming A Global Entrepreneur”.

Declaring the conference open, Convener of the SM Jury and award-winning Publicist, Miss Tonia Odili emphasized on the goal of the SM Jury Business Conference, ’’Our goal is to bring together entrepreneurs across the Country so they can network, share ideas, connect with private and public sector leaders in one location with the aim of tackling entrepreneurial challenges within the Country”.

Speaking at the Conference, all the Business Leaders spoke about the importance of passion and consistency and encouraged the young startups that these should be their watch word when it seems as if nothing is working. They shared their entrepreneurial journey on how they started and how they have been consistent in their various fields despite the adverse effect of the global Pandemic on the Country’s economy . 

The high point of the Conference was a formal presentation of seed capital to five beneficiaries of the SM Jury Entrepreneurship Competition. After a successful pitch of his business idea, Qiqi Farms emerged winner with over three hundred thousand naira financial support to boost his farm business  . Mr Adeleke Okikijesu founder of Qiqi Farms who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries “appreciated the amazing value the SM Jury is offering to help and support small brands grow and scale up exponentially with sustainable and noteworthy support systems, to unlock their limitless potentials in Nigeria and beyond”. He added that for his organization, the funds will be used in processing ready to eat smoked chicken and goat meat.

The other beneficiaries went home with over two hundred thousand naira each courtesy of the various speakers. 

That’s not all, the winners of the Fashion Scholarship Grant in collaboration with GMYT Fashion Academy were also announced, five winners emerged and they have the opportunity to become Fashion Entrepreneurs within a period of one year .

The SM Jury business conference also introduced the monthly Breakfast Mentorship Session for select business leaders, it is expected to commence in September this year in a high brow location on the Island.

CEO Gemini Luxury Homes ,Mrs Nikky Ufondu ,CEO GMYT Fashion Academy Princess Kelechi Oghene, Executive Director of Portplus Offshore Solutions and Energy Limited, Miss Bassey Adie, Medical Director Tranquil and Quest ,Dr Gbonjubola Abiri ,Miss Chidera Okoli and a representative of the founder of Salimo Witts Foundation, Mr Dan Ekoko , were amongst the speakers at the event.

The event was anchored by On Air Personality , Mr Onoge Tega Ben (OTB)

The SM Jury Business Conference is tailored to educate and mentor the young Entrepreneurs in starting and growing their business in order to overcome the challenges across the Country.

The event was proudly supported by Cinematics, Paula Beauty, KripsyKreme ,Tranquil and Quest,  SweetKiwi,Indomie and Salimo- Witts Foundation.