When the founders of Jumia started out more than four years ago. They could only imagine how the future looked like. Although they’ve sold the company but the idea they brought into life is now a living proof that startups can do very well. While a lot of people are familiar with the word startup, most are still unsure about what it really means. According the Wikipedia, a startup is an entrepreneurial venture which is typically a newly emerged fast growing business that aims to meet a marketplace by developing or offering an innovative product, process or service. Although the growth of a startup depends on the founders and their model. Many Nigerian ventures have made giant and commendable strides.

As startups continue to be associated with the Tech Space (which is more often), this may be true considering that these businesses are designed to grow quickly by capturing a very large market. Several people have misconceptions about new businesses being a form of startup, while this belief remains a fallacy, because small businesses are always built on existing business models and are meant to target fairly fixed markets. Thus they cannot be called as such. An overwhelming number of startups have emerged over the years most of which are concentrated in the south (west) region. The north in its entity has little to flaunt in this respect.

When Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook was in the country, his first choice of visit was Lagos (southwest) which is renown not only in Nigeria to host some of the brains in IT. Shouldn’t the North be bothered? Why has it always been ignored from the highlights of the Tech industry? I believe the reason can be traced to the low level of participation by the northerners. Every day I get carried away and enchanted by one startup or the other from the south. I have seen startups like Kangpe, ArtNigeria and Shuttlers represent Nigeria at the international level. Others like Andela, Jangilova, CashEnvoy, Showroom.ng and Hotels.ng are also doing well. I’ve seen several events and hubs that have immensely developed the startup mentality of many youths. These are the types of development I want. This is what all region and political zones should be doing as part of our contribution to increase the National GDP. As is it clear the former way (Oil) is no longer feasible.

As the entrepreneur and author of zero to one, Peter Thiel said “technology is miraculous, because it allows you to do more with less” My advice to the Northern brethren is to look beyond the misfortunes and lack of opportunities. You must build your dream from scratch and sacrifice for it, because you have the most important ingredient, technology. You may have the idea, but one man cannot build a castle. It is imperative that you meet, gather together to discuss, share, connect, build, develop and grow together. You can form groups, create hubs or organize events to attract like minds and investors. This should be a movement and a struggle as it has been an effective method of making exponential breakthroughs and achievements. The startup idea is not cumbersome or lumbering. You can adapt the principles of the Lean Startup which was pioneered by the great entrepreneur Eric Ries. It is never too late to join the bandwagon of creative and innovative Nigerians.

originally posted on www.thenortherner.com.ng

Nice article. Keep it up.

Brilliant.