Eleven women-led technology ventures have graduated from the seventh cycle of the Women in Tech Incubator and Accelerator Programme delivered by the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) at Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos, with five founders receiving a combined $50,000 in grants.
The graduation ceremony was held at The Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi and marked the completion of an accelerator programme focused on investment readiness, business development, mentorship, networking and advisory support. The five grant recipients each received $10,000.
The programme is delivered through EDC in partnership with Standard Chartered Foundation and Village Capital. The initiative targets technology-enabled businesses that are at least 51% women-owned and have progressed beyond the idea stage.
Five founders receive grants
Jennifer Esiaba of Mariam Grey Pharmacy, Christine Imoukhuede of Ahavaplan, Toyosi Badejo-Okusanya of Adaptive Atelier, Fara Popoola of Proc360 and Adejoke Haastrup of Kidsthatcode were selected for the grants after presenting their business growth plans to a judging panel.
Mariam Grey Pharmacy is building an AI-enabled telepharmacy that combines medication access with pharmacist consultations and chronic-care support. EDC describes the service as accessible through smartphones, basic phones and USSD, with support for more than 30 local languages.
Ahavaplan develops software for event planners. The company, founded in 2021, began in the United States before shifting to an Africa-first model and launching in Nigeria in June 2026.
Adaptive Atelier focuses on digital accessibility through technology, accessibility auditing, human validation and a marketplace that connects businesses with disabled professionals.
Proc360 provides trade infrastructure for African small businesses, including supplier verification, quality control and secure payments for cross-border transactions.
Kidsthatcode provides coding and digital-skills programmes for young people and has organised school-focused technology programmes and hackathons.
The 11 ventures in the cohort
The full cohort also included Onyeka Nwobu of ALI GLOBAL, Dorcas Obeahon of OnIt Innovations, Adetola Abolarinwa of PeoplePulse Africa, Uwagboe Oghosa Jane of Locoomo, Ejiro Enaohwo of Ginger Technologies and Oyindamola Ossi of VampAI.
ALI GLOBAL operates as a digital-first leadership academy for African women. OnIt Innovations connects households and businesses with trained and verified service professionals for areas such as cleaning, laundry, plumbing and electrical work.
PeoplePulse Africa is developing human-resources software for African SMEs, while Locoomo is building a distributed logistics model that uses existing neighbourhood spaces as pickup, storage and fulfilment points.
Ginger Technologies is focused on trade and financial infrastructure for businesses in Africa’s beauty industry. VampAI is developing an AI-assisted recruitment platform connecting employers with talent, particularly in technology, energy and oil and gas.
Several of the businesses entered the accelerator with activity outside the programme. Mariam Grey Pharmacy, for example, received a ₦12 million award through the 2025 Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Award, while Adaptive Atelier has also received grants supporting its accessibility work.
Proc360 was selected for the 2026 AFRISE Challenge, and Kidsthatcode has continued running youth technology programmes and school hackathons. These activities predate or run alongside the Pan-Atlantic programme rather than being products of the accelerator itself.
Founder-reported traction also varies across the cohort. OnIt has reported more than 500 households and businesses served and more than 6,500 service requests, while Locoomo has reported a network of more than 200 partner shops. Proc360 has said it has facilitated more than $300,000 in cross-border trade for over 1,500 solopreneurs. These figures are company-reported rather than independently audited.
Programme expands investment-readiness support
EDC Director Dr Nneka Okekearu said the latest cycle placed greater emphasis on specialised advisory support, governance and financial structures. The programme also worked with participants on establishing boards as part of efforts to make their businesses more investment-ready.
The Women in Tech initiative states that it has supported 60 women in Nigeria since its launch in 2019. Village Capital’s wider 2026 programme spans 12 markets and includes funding and business support for women-led, technology-enabled companies.
PUNCH reported the graduation of the 11 founders, while Vanguard reported details of the cohort and the programme’s support structure.
The five grant winners will each receive $10,000 to support their businesses following the completion of the accelerator.
