Shecluded, a Nigerian fintech start-up has emerged winner of the 2022 SelectUSA Tech Pitch Competition for Nigerian female-led tech startups.
The competition hosted by the U.S. Consulate General on Monday saw nine startups make pitches before a panel of accomplished U.S. and Nigerian business leaders, including U.S. Consulate representatives.
However, in the close contest of all nine start-ups who are interested in expanding their business operations into the United States, Shecluded, founded by Ifeoma Uddoh, 2021 alumna of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, became the overall winner.
The fintech start-up is dedicated to bridging the financial inclusion gap among women of colour.
Uddoh will receive a complimentary ticket to attend the annual SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington DC from June 26-29, 2022.
She has also earned the opportunity to pitch at the Regional, Middle East & Africa Pitch event, to venture capitalists, corporate investors, representatives from startup ecosystems, and industry experts.
The summit will offer Uddoh an unprecedented opportunity to learn how to expand her business to the United States, make the right connections, learn about investment destinations, and discover relevant resources to move the start-up forward.
U.S. Consulate Deputy Public Affairs officer Jennifer Foltz congratulated all the participants for their outstanding pitches. Foltz noted that the U.S. government is committed to providing women with the knowledge, networks, and access they need to launch and scale successful businesses.
“The U.S. government is proud to support young female entrepreneurs who are key to Nigeria’s future prosperity,” Foltz said. “We look forward to continuing to foster a strong entrepreneurial culture by providing skills training, resources, mentorship, and opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs to expand their businesses locally and to the United States.”