Meet the Startups in Itanna’s 2019 Cohort
A Glimpse into Itanna’s Second Accelerator Round
Back in 2019, Itanna welcomed four forward-thinking startups into its second accelerator cohort. These companies, spanning health tech, edtech, and property management, joined the 4-month programme at the Enterprise Factory in Lagos. The goal? Refine their business models, scale their solutions, and get investor-ready.
This hand-picked group brought ideas with impact — each addressing real problems through practical innovation. Here’s a closer look at three of the standout startups that made up the 2019 cohort.
GeroCare – Reinventing Healthcare for Nigeria’s Elderly
Preventive Healthcare, Delivered at Home
GeroCare is changing the narrative around elderly care in Nigeria. Built around a subscription model, the platform offers senior citizens regular doctor home visits — no need to wait for a medical emergency.
What makes GeroCare especially relevant is its remote-first approach. Families abroad or living far away can now provide consistent medical support to their ageing relatives in Nigeria, no matter where they are in the world. This bridges a major gap in elderly healthcare and offers peace of mind to the diaspora.
Simbi Interactive – Personalized Learning, Anywhere
The Classroom Reimagined
Simbi Interactive is tackling education with a hands-on, tech-first approach. Using a question-and-answer format, students can actively engage with any subject, any topic, at any time.
The platform allows learners to test themselves, get feedback, and understand subjects at their own pace. It’s personalized, mobile, and flexible — designed for students who want to take control of their learning journey, whether in the classroom or at home.
E-Estate – Modern Tools for Smart Estate Management
Connecting Residents and Managers in Real Time
Managing residential communities is no small feat. E-Estate offers a digital solution to streamline communication and operations between estate managers and residents.
Their platform is accessible via both web and mobile, including apps for Android and iOS. With features like service requests, billing, and community updates all in one place, E-Estate makes administration smoother, faster, and more transparent.
Summary Table: Key Highlights from the 2019 Cohort
Here’s a snapshot of what each startup brings to the table:
| Startup | Sector | Core Offering | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeroCare | Healthtech | Doctor home visits for the elderly | Subscription-based preventive care |
| Simbi Interactive | Edtech | Interactive self-learning through Q&A formats | Personalized and mobile-friendly |
| E-Estate | Property Tech | Estate management platform for residents and managers | Available on Android and iOS |
The Value of a Cohort-Based Accelerator Model
Why Cohorts Matter in Startup Development
Cohort-based accelerators like Itanna provide more than just capital — they create a shared learning experience. The 2019 startups didn’t grow in isolation. Instead, they benefited from:
- Peer feedback and collaboration
- Mentorship from industry experts
- Access to Honeywell Group’s network
- Workshops tailored to their specific sectors
This group approach fosters accountability and pushes startups to stay focused and goal-oriented throughout the 4-month programme.
Investor Readiness and Demo Day
At the end of the programme, each startup in the cohort prepares for Demo Day — an event where founders pitch to a room full of potential investors. For the 2019 group, this meant not just pitching an idea, but demonstrating traction, user validation, and a scalable model. It’s the moment where all the mentorship, planning, and refinement come together.
Post-Accelerator Support
Graduating from Itanna isn’t the end of the journey — it’s a milestone. Startups from the 2019 cohort continue to benefit from:
- Ongoing access to Itanna’s mentor network
- Follow-on investment opportunities
- Strategic partnerships within the Honeywell Group ecosystem
This long-term commitment ensures that each startup has a runway beyond the accelerator, allowing them to build sustainable companies over time.
Reflections from the 2019 Cohort
What Founders Are Saying
“The structure Itanna gave us changed how we approached growth. We weren’t just building features — we were building a real business.”
— Founder, Simbi Interactive
“Having access to Honeywell’s network opened doors we didn’t expect. Their experience in operations helped us scale faster.”
— Founder, E-Estate
These testimonials reflect a common theme: Itanna isn’t just about getting startups off the ground. It’s about preparing them to stay up and grow long-term.
