C&S Youth Bags N10m Foundation Grant for EdTech Innovation

A member of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church and Head of the Education Unit of the C&S Unification Youth Fellowship, Lagos State chapter, Sis. Bukola Aleriwa, has emerged as the overall winner of the Bet9ja Foundation ScaleUp Business Pitch Night 2.0, securing a N10m equity-free grant for her education technology startup, Schooled Afrika.

Aleriwa, who worships at C&S Holy Temple, Fadeyi, Lagos, won the coveted prize after emerging top among 10 finalists selected from over 500 entrepreneurs who applied for the foundation’s 10-week ScaleUp Business Accelerator 2.0.

The grand finale, held in Lagos, featured entrepreneurs from sectors including Education Technology, HealthTech, FinTech, Sports Technology, AgriFinTech, Artificial Intelligence, LegalTech and Cross-Border Trade.

In addition to Aleriwa’s N10m grand prize, the Bet9ja Foundation awarded equity-free grants totalling N40m to the 10 finalists to support the growth of their businesses.

A major highlight of the event was the announcement by the Executive Director of the Bet9ja Foundation, Ada Cuomo, who increased the winner’s prize from the initially proposed N5m to N10m, reaffirming the foundation’s commitment to supporting innovative Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the event, Cuomo said the ScaleUp initiative was designed to provide more than financial assistance by equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge, confidence and networks required to build sustainable businesses.

“ScaleUp is about more than providing grants. It is about creating the conditions for Nigerian entrepreneurs to build stronger and more sustainable businesses. We want these founders to leave the programme with the confidence, knowledge and networks to take their businesses further,” she said.

The accelerator programme, supported by strategic partners including Paystack, offered participants intensive business strategy sessions, mentorship and personalised advisory support aimed at helping them scale their ventures.

Aleriwa’s emergence as the overall winner adds to the growing number of young Cherubim and Seraphim members making remarkable strides in entrepreneurship, innovation and national development.