On March 15, 2025, the Ilorin Innovation Hub hosted its inaugural Founders Match 1.0 event, aiming to strengthen the local startup ecosystem by connecting founders with potential co-founders, team members, and mentors.
Under the leadership of Managing Director Temi Kolawole, the Ilorin Innovation Hub has been instrumental in driving technological advancement in Kwara State. Kolawole serves as the resident mentor for students and startups, actively building the Ilorin tech ecosystem through e-learning, events, competitions, and partnerships. His vision includes producing a unicorn, a startup valued at over a billion dollars, from the region within the next five years.
The Ilorin Innovation Hub, managed in partnership with IHS towers, Co-Creation Hub (CCHub) and Future Africa, has set an ambitious goal of producing a billion-dollar startup within the next five years. The hub aims to provide a conducive environment for startups, tech enthusiasts, and innovators to collaborate, develop new ideas, and bring their projects to fruition.
A highlight of the event was the return of OO Nwoye, who had been associated with the hub nearly five years prior. Nwoye, along with Kamaldeen Kehinde of Kwarabuild and Adekunle Ajiboye of Aajimatics, engaged with participants, sharing insights on building successful tech ventures in emerging markets.
The event also featured Adewole Adebayo, an IT professional with over 10 years of experience in IT solutions delivery across various sectors. Adebayo specializes in project management, IT infrastructure management, network security, and software development. He holds a Master of Science in Information Technology and has completed over 30 projects, earning the satisfaction of more than 20 clients.
Notably, Husseinah Abubakar, representing Future Skills Education Varsity, attended the event, reflecting the hub’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
The event also featured curated networking sessions, capacity-building programs, and interactive workshops designed to enhance participants’ skills and foster collaboration.
Founders Match 1.0 exemplifies the Ilorin Innovation Hub’s dedication to nurturing a vibrant startup community by facilitating meaningful connections and providing essential resources to emerging entrepreneurs.
