Founders of ICT and business startups in Port Harcourt have identified compliance and pitching as the two areas where they most need support, following a founders’ hangout organised by #StartupSouth Port Harcourt.
The gathering on Saturday brought together founders and ecosystem stakeholders for an open conversation on the realities of building businesses in Port Harcourt and the support that would make the greatest difference.
Compliance and pitching emerged as the two priorities selected by participants at the session was designed to surface the specific needs of founders.
They said compliance remains a significant barrier for many founders, who are often unsure which regulatory, legal and operational requirements apply to their businesses.
They also identified pitching as the second gap, particularly the ability to clearly communicate a business, its value proposition and its opportunity to investors, partners, customers, grant makers and other stakeholders.
Speaking on this, the #StartupSouth Port Harcourt Community Lead, Mrs Uki Asemota Osifo, said the goal was to respond to founders’ actual needs rather than assumptions.
“The most important thing for us was to listen to founders. We wanted to understand what they are dealing with and where support would make the greatest difference. Compliance and pitching emerged clearly from the conversation, and these will now form part of the areas we focus on as a community.”
The hangout is part of a broader effort to strengthen Port Harcourt’s startup ecosystem, and insights from the session will shape the community’s future activities around these two priorities.
StartupSouth Port Harcourt plans to continue creating spaces where founders can share experiences, identify common challenges and build stronger connections within and beyond the city.
She said the Offchart NXT conference coming up in October is providing the exact opportunity for founders and enthusiasts to come and learn while ensuring they understand the complexities of being and running a Startup in the South South region but becoming a global brand without necessarily uprooting itself from the region. Mrs Uki AsemotaOsifo added that there would be panel sessions, fireside chats, Deal rooms and much more during the October conference.
StartupSouth Port Harcourt is a community for founders and entrepreneurs building from Port Harcourt, created to strengthen connections, support business growth and contribute to a stronger startup ecosystem in the city.
