Zhal Foods, a snacks production business enterprise based in Minna, Niger State, has emerged winner in the just concluded Quickteller Business contest.
Adeniji Mustapha, CEO Zhal Foods, walked away with ₦1M star prize after garnering 25 points in a virtual pitch session on Sunday, May 3, 2021.
The contest saw 10 Nigerian business enterprises compete for the ₦1M grant, and was adjudged by a trio comprised of Founder Nairametrics, Ugodre Obi-Chukwu; CEO AskDemz, Adedamola Ladejobi; and CEO SoFresh, Olagoke Damilola.
Speaking on his emergence as winner of the contest, Mustapha described his success as a mix of luck and hard work.
One of these businesses will be winning a 1Million Naira grant for their businesses courtesy Quickteller Business. They will be going live by 4pm to pitch their business virtually to our judges. Who do you think will walk away with the grand prize? Stay tuned for live updates.. pic.twitter.com/6V5DNjhqx2
— Quickteller (@Quickteller) May 2, 2021
In an interview with Quillcastle Nigeria, Mustapha stated that he was hopeful of scaling his venture into a leading popcorn company in Northern Nigeria by 2023.
He said: “The contest was a competitive one. Right from the first round where we have to solicit for votes from friends and family to make it to top 10. It wasn’t easy. It was never a walk in the park for any of the contestants.
“I finished as the 9th position in the round that led to the main event where we pitched our businesses before judges. It’s a no play joke event as it was keenly contested.
“I must say that everyone did well. Eventually emerging winner came as a result of ample preparedness and a bit of luck.
“I was enraptured when I was announced winner. Above all, I see this as a step forward to my vision of having the leading popcorn company in Northern Nigeria by 2023.”
On how long the enterprise had been in the market and the running vision, the CEO explained that the idea was conceived during his national youth service year in 2015 but did not materialise until 2018 when the enterprise commenced operations.
“The idea goes back to 2015 while I was serving as a youth corp member. It, however, came into reality when we started operations in 2018. Since then, we’ve been smashing our milestones and working towards our vision.
“Presently our next Milestone is to have a value added product. We are considering a value added popcorn. It will take the form of a combination of popcorn and groundnut in one nylon that is Affordable and tasty.
“Hence, winning this grant will give us the opportunity to purchase an industrial groundnut roasting machine and bags of groundnut as raw materials.”
Next up we have Zhal Foods a food manufacturing company majoring on popcorn/groundnut production in Minna with a very insightful pitch that brought up a few questions from the judges. pic.twitter.com/IpcbNr5yhP
— Quickteller (@Quickteller) May 2, 2021
According to Mustapha, Quickteller has become a significant part of his business success story, and will remain a reference point in the future.
He said: “I’ve known Quickteller for 7 years. I have been a user for a long time because they are the brand I have always wanted to work with someday.
“Winning a one million naira grant from the company is a big plus for me, and I am very grateful.
“I say thank you to the company for being part of our success story because there is no way we will tell our story without mentioning Quickteller.
“To the management, I must say I am still shocked but I say thank you for believing in us and we promise to use the fund for the purpose it intended.”
Runner up startups (winning 250k each) in the contest include electronic certification platform, Akowe;
And we are LIVE!
First off we have Ayodeji Agboola of Akowe app, an easy platform for issuing certificates securely and digitally. A very insightful pitch. pic.twitter.com/2Znm4vOZGF
— Quickteller (@Quickteller) May 2, 2021
fashion design hub, Seun Ara Clothings;
Next up, we have Komolake Helen of Seun Ara clothings. A fashion hub that provides bespoke clothing and fashion design trainings. Can she sway the judges in her favour? pic.twitter.com/O3kTyj8xw6
— Quickteller (@Quickteller) May 2, 2021
Oyo-based agribusiness, Greenbles;
A network of farmers has already been built with the idea of helping people sell as well as giving them trainings on agriculture as a whole.
A nice pitch do you agree? https://t.co/oPLg4kkUzF pic.twitter.com/s7k4U9ri0l
— Quickteller (@Quickteller) May 2, 2021
and financial solutions startup, Patriots Africa.
Patriots Africa Consult and Agency is an agency banking service that provide seamless financial solutions with a major focus in unbanked and rural communities. A good pitch do you agree?
Join us on Facebook LIVE now to listen and enjoy the pitch.https://t.co/zHfsrOYPkV pic.twitter.com/xKKllhIW0r
— Quickteller (@Quickteller) May 2, 2021
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