Endeavor Global Network selects Lagos based Zone formerly Appzone as Impact Entrepreneurs
The Nigeria’s Zone founders, Obi Emetarom, Emeka Emetarom, and Wale Onawunmi, were among the 11 new high-impact entrepreneurs chosen by Endeavor after the 37th Virtual International Selection Panel (ISP) representing six firms from five markets.
A regulated blockchain network called Zone (formerly known as Appzone) enables payments and the acceptance of virtual currencies by tying together banks and fintech companies. Following the acquisition of a switching and processing license from the Central Bank of Nigeria, Zone became the continent’s first regulated blockchain-powered payment network.
While entirely automating settlement, reconciliation, and dispute management, Zone’s blockchain-powered payment infrastructure enables member institutions to communicate directly with one another and conduct payment transactions without an intermediary.
In November 2022, the company made a strategic decision to spin off its venerable Banking as a Service business, creating a new corporation known as Qore while shifting its focus to become a pure-play Payment Infrastructure company under the name Zone. Financial institutions in Africa can accomplish service automation and digitization thanks to Appzone’s legacy banking-as-a-service platform, Qore.
Over 600 financial institutions in seven African nations have adopted it. Obi Emetarom and Wale Onawunmi, the CEO and CTO of Zone and Qore, respectively, are led by Emeka Emetarom.
Co-founder and CEO of Zone, Obi Emetarom, commented on their inclusion in the international network, saying, “Joining the Endeavor network highlights our steadfast commitment to transforming Africa’s payments landscape. The network’s commitment to helping entrepreneurs struck a chord with us right away. Endeavor’s platform will greatly accelerate our growth and widen our reach as we continuously work to provide Financial Services Providers in Africa and beyond with dependable, frictionless, and universally interoperable payments.
Co-founder and CTO Wale Onawunmi continues, “We’re honored to be a part of this esteemed international community. Collaboration and shared learning are essential to entrepreneurship, and Endeavor reflects these values. We are eager to take advantage of this special network of business owners, collaborators, and investors in order to advance the innovation and effectiveness of our technical capabilities in the payments industry.
The CEO of Qore, Emeka Emetarom, says joining the Endeavor network is an honor. To develop ground-breaking financial solutions, a community like Endeavor is a huge help. We’re sure that Endeavor’s worldwide perspectives, mentoring, and assistance will further advance Qore. As we build our business into a leader in banking as a service, we also anticipate making a substantial contribution to this thriving neighborhood.
Candidates pitch their businesses to prominent international business executives and investors from the Endeavor network during the ISP, which serves as the culmination of a multi-stage tough selection process. Those who receive a unanimous vote are then recognized as Endeavor Entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs have access to a variety of services that help them scale their enterprises more quickly and have a greater impact once they have been accepted into the network by a team of international panelists.
We are thrilled that Obi, Emeka, and Wale have been chosen as Endeavor Entrepreneurs, said Endeavor Board Member Yemi Lalude. It is well-deserved praise for all they have already accomplished and all they have yet to do.
We are overjoyed that Zone has decided to join the Endeavor network! According to Linda Rottenberg, co-founder and CEO of Endeavor, “We’re thrilled to support Obi, Wale, and Emeka as they extend Zone’s financial services infrastructure across the African continent and help them revitalize the already thriving Nigerian innovation industry.
Ireayomide Oladunjoye, managing director of Endeavor Nigeria, continued, “Zone is on its way to being the de facto for enabling, digitizing, and automating financial services in Africa. Obi Emetarom, Emeka Emetarom, and Wale Onawunmi will lead Zone and its products into the next stage of high-impact growth, and we couldn’t be happier to have them join the Endeavor Global network.
The newly chosen entrepreneurs will have access to a wide range of strategic, global support services as a result of being a part of the Endeavor network, including introductions to local and international business mentors, investors, and volunteers from Fortune 500 consulting firms who will assist them in addressing critical needs.
Endeavor Entrepreneurs have a long history of making a difference. Endeavor Entrepreneurs have built sustainable development models in their native nations and produced total sales of over $42+ billion, creating over 4.1 million employment.
Through the regional affiliate office in Nigeria, Zone is the 19th company chosen for inclusion in the worldwide Endeavor network. All three business owners are examples of the increasingly high standards for great entrepreneurs who have lofty goals and the capacity for scaled execution.
They join Ngozi Dozie and Chijioke Dozie (Carbon), Etop Ikpe (Autochek), Gbenga Agboola and Ife Orioke (Flutterwave), Tayo Oviosu and Jay Alabraba (Paga), Ekechi Nwokah (Migo), Jasper Graf von Hardenberg and Christian Wessels (Daystar Power), Obi Ozor (Kobo), Kene Okwuosa and Moses Babatope (FilmHouse Group), Onyekachi Izukanne, Michael Ukpong & Ruke Awaritefe (TradeDepot), Tosin Eniolorunda & Felix Ike (Moniepoint), Adegoke Olubusi and Dimeji Sofowora (Helium Health), and Adetayo Bamiduro & Chinedu Azodoh (Metro Africa Xpress), Michael Moreland, Justin Lorenzon, & Peter Bunor (Field Intelligence), and Somto Ifezue, Odunayo Eweniyi, and Joshua Chibueze (PiggyVest).
