Six African startups have been awarded a total of $10,000 in grants at the 2025 SIA Startup Foundry Demo Day, an accelerator initiative by the Sola and Ibukun Adeyinka (SIA) Foundation. The event, held in Lagos, featured final presentations from ten ventures selected from a broader cohort of 50 participants.

Now in its second year, the SIA Startup Foundry provides training, mentorship, and access to funding for early-stage businesses in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, light manufacturing, renewable energy, and recycling.

A panel of industry experts, including; Group Managing Director, CHAMS PLC, Mayowa Olaniyan; Investment and Portfolio Manager, Co-Creation Hub, Gbenga Agoye, Founder, Dinma Consulting, Chidinma Okorie; Chief Executive Officer, PML Advisory, Abiola Fajimi and Founder, SanwoPay, Samson Olubayo, evaluated the finalists’ five-minute pitches.

The winner, Uban Leathered, got $3000; first Runners-Up, Dynalimbs and Palmark received $2,000 each; second Runners-Up, Bolat Paint, FMJ Handicraft and Vegitubers, got $1,000 each.

Co-chair of the SIA Foundation, Sola Adeyinka, said, “The goal of the Startup Foundry is to catalyse scalable solutions led by African founders. We are proud of the progress these entrepreneurs have made and optimistic about their continued impact.”

One of the recipients, Ubok Ameh of Uban Leathered, said: “The SIA Startup Foundry was like a mini-MBA especially for someone like me who did not have a background in entrepreneurship, this programme was instrumental in shaping my mindset, the way I see business, and the way I run it. I was a legal practitioner who paused legal practice to start this growing bag factory and emerging as a winner validates everything we do. It’s encouraging to know that our baby steps have become giant strides and with this funding, we will take bigger leaps in reducing dependence on bag importation and supporting our burgeoning local economy.”

Programmes Manager at the Foundation, Modupe Phillips, added, “We are committed to developing platforms that drive entrepreneurial success and welcome collaborations that advance this mission. Our joy is to see these innovators transform their businesses into scalable, high-impact ventures.”
Rachael Omobolaji of Bolat Paint expressed gratitude to the foundation for its support and belief in the services her firm offers.

Mayowa Olaniyan, one of the event judges, emphasised the importance of mentorship, saying, “Truly commendable indeed, and yet the mantle falls upon us, to uplift, guide, mentor and nurture the seeds of tomorrow. If we don’t inspire these young, aspiring leaders, who will?”