UK-based Nigerian tech founder, Valeen Oseh-Ovarah, has been selected for the prestigious Regional Talent Engines (RTE) programme by the Royal Academy of Engineering, a six-month accelerator support initiative designed for standout engineering innovators building impact-driven tech solutions across the UK.

Oseh-Ovarah, the founder of TisOva, is developing an AI-powered platform to detect and prevent scams targeting students and other vulnerable digital users. Her selection into the RTE Liverpool cohort highlights both the urgency of her mission and her potential to transform digital safety through innovation.

“It’s an incredible honour to be recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering. It’s not just an honour but a powerful validation of our vision to revolutionise scam prevention and make online spaces safer for young people,” she told The Guardian. “As a Nigerian woman in cybersecurity, being recognised on an international platform validates not only my work but also the communities I represent.”

The Regional Talent Engines programme is delivered by the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Enterprise Hub, which was ranked 9th Leading Startup Hub in Europe by the Financial Times in 2024. The programme supports early-stage tech entrepreneurs developing bold, IP-rich innovations across all areas of engineering and technology that address some of the world’s most complex environmental, economic, and societal challenges. Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), it provides equity-free funding of up to £20,000, one-on-one mentoring, expert-led workshops, and access to a national network of investors, industry experts, and advisors. Training sessions are delivered in Liverpool, Belfast, Swansea, Newcastle, and Leeds, with founders expected to be pitch-ready and well-positioned for investment by the programme’s graduation event in London this September.

Places on the programme are awarded through a competitive application process, with the most promising entrepreneurs gaining a place across Northern England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Oseh-Ovarah is one of just 38 founders selected from over 160 applicants across the UK, joining a diverse cohort tackling challenges across AI, healthtech, sustainable systems, and digital security.

The induction event took place at the Pullman Hotel on Liverpool’s iconic Albert Dock, where participants were welcomed into a national community of founders driving technological progress across key sectors.

“It’s not just about building a product,” Oseh-Ovarah added. “It’s about building a legacy that protects and empowers.”

Since joining the programme, Oseh-Ovarah has made notable progress—actively developing a proof of concept, expanding her cybersecurity education initiatives, and earning industry recognition, including TechRound’s Top 50 Women in Tech UK and a Global Women Inventors and Innovators (GlobalWIIN) Special Recognition Award.

“This is not just a personal win,” she said. “It’s a signal to underrepresented founders everywhere that global impact is within reach.”

Her participation adds a fresh chapter to the growing influence of Nigerian tech talent in the UK, reinforcing the power of innovation rooted in purpose, experience, and a commitment to social impact.