Bolt Nigeria has concluded the first edition of its Bolt Accelerator Program with an awards ceremony recognising the top 10 innovative ideas from its driver community.
The company awarded the sum of €25,000 ($26,712) seed funds to ten drivers at the grand finale of the Bolt Den initiative.
Bolt Den Initiative is an aspect of the Bolt Accelerator Program.
The Accelerator Program’s Award Day celebrates resilience, innovation, and a collective commitment to revolutionizing urban mobility.
The initiative is aimed at empowering Bolt drivers beyond their ride-hailing services. It is also to foster entrepreneurial roles and boost economic growth across Nigeria.
According to the company, 1,600 drivers sent in applications for the Bolt Den Initiative.
The lot was screened down to 100 drivers who made it to the ideation phase.
This phase reduced the 100 to 20.
The top 20 drivers went through the intensive business development boot camp phase in preparation for pitch day.
At the Bolt Den pitch session, the top 20 drivers pitched their innovative ideas to a panel of judges who selected the best 10 ideas.
The top ideas included
- converting vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG) for cars,
- developing a mobile application that connects users with on-the-go mechanics and towing rescue vans,
- converting petrol-operated vulcanizing machines to solar energy, and
- designing and assembling electric bicycles,
- other concepts.
The final ten drivers each received a €2,000 seed fund and access to a 6-week business mentorship program.
The top 20 drivers got certificates of participation
3 drivers also received laptop gifts for ;
- best pitch,
- most scalable idea, and
- most innovative idea.
They also get access to business mentorship with Oliver Wyman.
Latifu Modinatu, the only female driver among the top 10, drives in Benin City.
She said, “Words alone cannot express how grateful I am, thank you for the knowledge, the experience, the push, the encouragement, and financial empowerment as a driver-partner. I hope that one day I get to become a fleet partner with Bolt.”
Caroline Wanjihia, Bolt’s Regional Director for Africa and International Markets,mentioned Nigeria’s significance as the pioneer market for the Bolt Accelerator Program.
She said, “In Africa, we’re in several markets, Nigeria, Ghana, Tunisia, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa,” but we’ve chosen Nigeria as the first market to launch the Bolt Accelerator program.
Engr. SA Agbomeji, representing the Lagos State Ministry of Transport, praised Bolt’s initiative. He said it aligns with Lagos State’s dedication to fostering innovation and creating opportunities in the transportation sector.
Bolt’s continuous efforts drive economic growth, innovation, and empowerment, shaping the future of shared mobility across Africa.
