By Efe Onodjae

Bridge, an innovative and multi-layered escrow payment platform poised to transform the
landscape of social media e-commerce, has proudly announced its selection as a prominent
participant in Wema Bank’s esteemed Startup Accelerator Program.

The Wema Bank Accelerator Programme represents a pivotal moment for Bridge, providing the startup with essential resources, expert mentorship, and financial backing to elevate its cutting- edge secure transaction platform.

The chance positions Bridge to elevate its mission to transform online transactions in Nigeria’s dynamic and rapidly expanding digital market to new heights, setting the stage for a new era of seamless and efficient online commerce.

This will enable the company to maximize and expand its innovative solutions, tackling major issues faced in Nigeria’s rapidly growing e-commerce industry, such as payment security, transaction speed, and customer confidence.

Through this partnership, Bridge is poised to make a lasting difference in the marketplace, fuelling growth and spurring greater access for online consumers.

Speaking to newsmen, Co-Founder of Bridge, Jerry Peters, noted that being selected for Wema Bank’s Accelerator Programme is a validating milestone of establishing a trusted and secure transaction environment for online buyers and sellers. He said “This opportunity will allow us to speed up our growth and expand our mission of promoting secure social commerce to more Nigerians.”

Through the Wema Bank Accelerator Programme, Bridge aims to significantly expand its customer base by actively targeting new demographics and regions, allowing more individuals and businesses to access its services. The program will also continue to advance Bridge’s technology infrastructure, including software and hardware enhancements, to deliver sound security and a superior user experience.

At the press conference and official announcement, Mr. Babatunde Mumuni, Chief Transformation & Innovation Officer, announced the return of the Accelerator Programme, emphasizing its role in empowering startups that emerged from the Hackaholics Programme. “We are reigniting this initiative to provide these startups with the critical support they need to secure funding and drive meaningful collaborations,” he stated.

Head of Innovation & IDEAx Labs, Solomon Ayodele further highlighted the depth of the programme, revealing that a meticulously designed curriculum will equip startups with the knowledge and networks required for long-term success. “Over the course of five weeks, participants will engage with global facilitators and mentors across key industry verticals. The programme will culminate in a high-impact Demo Day, where we will bring together key ecosystem players to showcase the groundbreaking innovations of these startups,” he added.

In addition, under the accelerator program, Bridge seeks to establish strategic collaborations with other organizations, financial institutions, and technology firms. The collaborations will leverage complementing capabilities to create innovative solutions and promote mutual growth.

The initiative will also enable Bridge to utilize data-driven market research and outreach strategies, enabling it to discover new opportunities and effectively reach potential customers in various industries.

Bridge is a pioneering escrow payment and transaction platform designed to provide secure, efficient, and reliable transaction solutions for the social media e-commerce market. With a vision to become the most trusted payment solution platform for social media-affiliated transactions, Bridge is committed to transforming online commerce in Nigeria.