Nigeria’s second ever coworking conference held today at the IMAX Filmhouse in Lekki, Lagos. Organised by Venia Hub, in partnership with Access Bank, the co-working conference showcased new trends in the emerging co-working space.
Themed Coworking: The Catalyst for Innovation, the conference was lit by the speakers such as Dr. Omobola Johnson; Partner at TLCom and former Honourable Minister of Communication Technology; Iyin Aboyeji of Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payment platform; Kola Aina, Chairman, Ventures Park; and Ola Brown of Greentree Investment Company.
Why A Coworking Conference?
In the digital age, a lot of things are being disrupted as new ideas continue to make life more flexible. But nobody would ever believe that technology, and the collaboration it fosters, would redefine how we think about the “workspace”.
Coworking space is basically a type of workplace where people share the same work environment, thus making a community in the same area. They are usually designed to be funkier than the usual workspace. Thus they promote spontaneity and innovation. It’s the sort of environment that freelancers and entrepreneurs crave for these days.
Globally, there are over 1 million people in tech hubs. And there are over 250 coworking environments in Africa alone.
Highlights from the Coworking Conference
The Venia Coworking Conference spotlights the emerging trends in the growth of coworking spaces. And importantly, speakers at the conference shared interesting ideas about how to make the co-working space better for the future of Nigerian innovations.
These were the speakers for the event, and there were quite a lot of them.
We are super excited that @CoWorkingNG made seat reservation for @giveasily to attend the largest Coworking conference in Africa. @theflutterwave @Techpointdotng @CorpFarmersTV pic.twitter.com/XmhfikvcFG
— Giveasily (@giveasily) July 20, 2018
But the Vice President, of course, was the man to watch.
It is with great honor and excitement that we announce our Special Guest and Keynote Speaker, His Excellency, The Vice President Of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), @profosinbajo to Nigeria Coworking Conference 2018!#coworkandbuild #CWC2018 pic.twitter.com/AFDWfKXxsC
— CoWorking Conference (@CoWorkingNG) July 25, 2018
The Opening Hours…
Smiling faces at the Nigeria Coworking Conference 2018!
You can expect a fantastic experience!!
We are set for you!
Let's #coworkandbuild pic.twitter.com/eswUMPEgHs— CoWorking Conference (@CoWorkingNG) July 26, 2018
Aaaaaand we are Live!!!
Welcome to the second edition of the Nigeria coworking conference @ the IMAX Theatre Lekki, Lagos Nigeria!
Come through!#coworkandbuild pic.twitter.com/JTqBsLuL3F— CoWorking Conference (@CoWorkingNG) July 26, 2018
Arrival Time…
Registration going on!
We're excited about the innovative entrepreneurs coming through!#coworkandbuild pic.twitter.com/RTjpUrVg6t— CoWorking Conference (@CoWorkingNG) July 26, 2018
At the #coworkingconference with @kola_aina surrounded by amazing people and learning from inspiring speakers. @theventurespark#coworkandbuild pic.twitter.com/9jqTHQrwH1
— Oguchi Nkechi (@heynkechi) July 26, 2018
We got some very excited volunteers from @girlhubafrica #coworkandbuild pic.twitter.com/AoFilivukO
— CoWorking Conference (@CoWorkingNG) July 26, 2018
The Team at @RockSpaceNG #Abeokuta #OgunState at the 2nd edition of the Nigeria CoWorking Conference 2018, created by @CoWorkingNG / @VeniaBizHub in conjunction with @myaccessbank. #CoworkAndBuild #CoWorking #CoworkingSpace #IdeationLab #RockSpace #RockSpaceNG #LetsDoMore 👌 pic.twitter.com/XuyKFd4ET9
— Ishola Adebayo (@isholabaryor) July 26, 2018
His Excellency, The Vice President of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria arrives the Coworking Conference!!#coworkandbuild pic.twitter.com/oca1uogx7s
— CoWorking Conference (@CoWorkingNG) July 26, 2018
The Panelists Begin Discussions
#coworkandbuild panelist discussing on the topic 'Innovative Infrastructure Solutions 4 d Coworking Industry' 2day – @SMEToolkitNG @EDC4SME
— SME Toolkit Nigeria (@SMEToolkitNG) July 26, 2018
Panel discussion on "Innovative Infrastructure Solutions for the Coworking Industry" at the @CoWorkingNG conference.#CoWorkandBuild #CoworkingSpace pic.twitter.com/hAF5IN0nXF
— Ventures Africa (@VenturesAfrica) July 26, 2018
Do you think co-working spaces have a tech business bias? #coworkingconference #CoWorkandBuild pic.twitter.com/k4XoXFUWsk
— Oguchi Nkechi (@heynkechi) July 26, 2018
Infrastructure Panel: Innovative infrastructure solutions for the Coworking Industry with Adebowale Banjo of @myautogenius , Kanyinnade Ademuson, Chinaza Onuzo, Tayo Ogidan and Tayo Ashiru.#coworkandbuild pic.twitter.com/z8RU9ByzZL
— CoWorking Conference (@CoWorkingNG) July 26, 2018
|Investor Panel| Partnering with Coworking Spaces to find and Fund Innovative Businesses
Ola Brown @naijaflyingdoctor x Bunni Akinyemiju x Kola Aina x Olutosin Oni, moderated by Yvonne Johnson.#CoworkAndBuild #investor #sme #entrepreneur #value @coworkingng pic.twitter.com/oy60EtWpqT
— Leke Awonuga (@Lekeleo1) July 26, 2018
Speakers Share Ideas and Insights
Great points by @IamSnazz at @coworkingng just now: Co-Working spaces need to scale to become formidable. 170 Co-working spaces run by 170 companies is not ideal. #coworkandbuild
— King Jo, The 🏃♂️🏃♂️ (@je_mc2) July 26, 2018
Relevance of product
Number of competitors(good/bad) competitors validate your business
Capability of founder
Opportunity for exit.These are the things VC look for in investing in an enterprise.
Dr Omobola Johnson#coworkandbuild pic.twitter.com/EIRgLjLbr9— CoWorking Conference (@CoWorkingNG) July 26, 2018
Tosin Faniro- Dada of @lagosinnovates – Facilitating Innovation through Coworking#coworkandbuild pic.twitter.com/eALtcYqhUf
— CoWorking Conference (@CoWorkingNG) July 26, 2018
Tosin Faniro Dada of LSETF
Facilating Innovation through Coworking!@lagosinnovates #coworkandbuild pic.twitter.com/ZhSUj9QKYI
— CoWorking Conference (@CoWorkingNG) July 26, 2018
The Main Man Speaks…
"Coworking is bound to change everything! How we work, how we learn"
VP @ProfOsinbajo#coworkandbuild pic.twitter.com/2SB4ix4EAZ— CoWorking Conference (@CoWorkingNG) July 26, 2018
"Sharing space is the least profound, it is in the birthing of creativity and innovation.
Coworking is what will define creativity and innovation today"
VP @ProfOsinbajo#coworkandbuild pic.twitter.com/pwDMTCIoOP— CoWorking Conference (@CoWorkingNG) July 26, 2018
Selfie Time
There weren’t a lot of selfies, but these two will do:
Hanging out with @VeniaBizHub @CoWorkingNG at the COWORK NG CONFERENCE.#CoworkAndBuild pic.twitter.com/CpDYgtsNJj
— Study Abroad Guru (@Dipo_adebowale) July 26, 2018
Snack Time Was Lit!
Time for some break and networking!!#coworkandbuild pic.twitter.com/5Xk6MkoHQv
— CoWorking Conference (@CoWorkingNG) July 26, 2018
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