This week, RAD5 Hub had the honour of hosting the Abia State finalists of the iHatch Startup Incubation Program for their regional pitching event. Since May, these founders have been part of a journey of mentorship, learning, and refinement, and today was their chance to share their ideas with the world.
The first finalist, (L) Chiemelie Carita, a backend developer, presented LindaSalesPro. This tool is designed to help lead-driven businesses solve a critical problem: scattered leads and missed opportunities. LindaSalesPro enables businesses to capture leads, nurture them into paying customers, and manage their sales pipelines in one place. For many businesses, it means fewer missed calls, fewer lost customers, and a clearer path to growth.
The second finalist, (M) Ugoeze Ogbonna, a microbiologist and data analyst, pitched SmartSupply. This platform uses AI to help small businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa track inventory, predict restocks, and manage expenses. Beyond that, it connects business owners directly to trusted wholesalers and farmers, reducing the risks of unreliable suppliers and stock shortages. It’s a powerful step toward creating smarter, more resilient supply chains for small businesses in the region.
Both founders received valuable feedback from the judges, who challenged them to refine their products further and prepare for the bigger stages ahead.
At RAD5, we believe programs like iHatch reflect the power of giving local innovators the tools and platforms they need to thrive. These founders represent more than just two projects — they are proof that Abia has the talent and drive to create solutions that matter.
As the Abia Hub for the iHatch program, we are proud to support them on this journey. But for us, this is not the end. We have just started.
