By Rita Okoye
In an era where malnutrition and food insecurity remain persistent challenges, innovative entrepreneurs are stepping up with groundbreaking solutions. However, translating a promising idea into a scalable business requires more than just ingenuity—it demands access to the right resources, mentorship, and funding. Accelerator programs have become essential in bridging this gap, helping businesses refine their models, build capacity, and attract investment.
One such initiative, NutriPitch – The Nourishing Nigeria Challenge, has emerged as a game-changer in Nigeria’s fight against malnutrition. Developed through a partnership between the Scaling-up Nutrition Business Network (SBN), the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), and FATE Foundation, this accelerator program is dedicated to supporting businesses focused on nutrition and food safety. With intensive Bootcamp sessions, business gap analysis, workshops, mentorship, advisory support, and investor readiness training, NutriPitch equips entrepreneurs with the tools needed to scale their impact and improve public health outcomes.
Accelerator programs like NutriPitch provide structured business development support, ensuring that startups have a solid foundation for growth. Through mentorship and advisory services, participants gain access to seasoned experts who help refine strategies, improve operational efficiencies, and navigate the complexities of scaling. Investor readiness is another critical component, helping entrepreneurs understand funding mechanisms and secure capital for expansion. Startups that undergo acceleration programs have been shown to have a 23% higher survival rate compared to those that do not, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM).
At the 2018 NutriPitch event, Olusegun Oso, a Volunteer Faculty Member and investor readiness expert, shared insights into the importance of investment planning for health-focused businesses. Trained as a medical doctor, Oso pivoted into finance and has extensive experience in investment banking, private equity, venture capital, portfolio management, and corporate governance. He now combines his expertise in healthcare and finance to improve access, affordability, and quality of healthcare in frontier markets. By deploying capital, technology, and expertise into the most promising and impact-oriented healthcare opportunities, he aims to establish investment and collaborative linkages between advanced economies and frontier markets.
Oso emphasized that investor readiness is about more than just securing funds—it’s about ensuring that businesses are prepared to manage investments effectively and achieve long-term sustainability. His experience in THE FUNDING SPACE, a platform that connects social entrepreneurs with investors, has reinforced the need for structured financing and strategic partnerships. At a similar event early this year- 2018, he participated in a panel discussion on “Moving Money Across Borders”, addressing the challenges and opportunities in international financing for startups.
For startups working in healthcare, nutrition, and food safety, accelerator programs offer unique advantages. Access to impact investors helps secure funding for scaling, while regulatory guidance ensures compliance with health and safety standards. These programs also facilitate strategic partnerships, allowing entrepreneurs to connect with key players in the industry.
As Nigeria continues to tackle malnutrition and food insecurity, initiatives like NutriPitch highlight the role of structured acceleration in driving sustainable change. The involvement of investors, policymakers, and industry leaders remains crucial in ensuring these businesses not only survive but thrive. With the right mix of innovation, funding, and mentorship, medical entrepreneurs and nutrition-focused startups can transform Nigeria’s healthcare and food ecosystems, creating a healthier future for millions.