My N500K Open Pitch Grant Helped Upscale my Fashion Brand System

The Onitsha Business Hangout, in collaboration with Business Clinic, is floating a N20 million Open Pitch Grant Challenge for startups in eastern Nigeria. This year’s edition of the venture capital initiative is currently underway, with applicants vying for a chance to secure capital from the N20 million fund.

This venture capital challenge is open only to startups in eastern Nigeria and is designed to jump-start the region’s tech ecosystem.

In a brief interview, INFOEAST sat with Chidimma Lovelyn Uwakwe, Creative Director at Clovy Fashion and one of the beneficiaries of the last edition of the Open Grant Challenge.

The aim of this interview is to inspire and sensitise applicants of the Open Pitch Challenge this year with the right information from the horse’s mouth.

INFOEAST: What’s your name, the name of your business, and how much did Onitsha Business Hangout give you?

Lovelyn: My name is Chidimma Lovelyn Uwakwe. I am the creative director of Clovy Fashion Brand. I was privileged to win a N500,000 grant at the Onitsha Fashion Fest 2024. I also received an additional N500,000 from the Grant Donor, Don Ebubeogu, last year.

INFOEAST: Did the funds from OBH have enough impact? What were you able to achieve with it?

Lovelyn: Yes, the OBH funds had a real impact on our growth. Before the grant, many parts of our production process were slow and constrained by our equipment.

With the support, we were able to upgrade key sewing tools, improve our finishing quality, and structure our production workflow more professionally.

One of the biggest achievements was moving closer to a more scalable system. We were able to start developing ready-to-wear pieces, especially in our kidswear line, rather than relying solely on one-off custom orders.

This has positioned us to produce faster, serve more customers, and prepare the brand for larger markets. The support helped us move from survival mode to growth mode.

INFOEAST: How Transparent was the selection process? Did you do any legwork before you were selected?

Lovelyn: I was just getting to know the community when I applied for the grant, so winning was honestly surprising.

It really showed how clear and authentic the selection process was, especially as someone who wasn’t previously part of the community. That experience strengthened my confidence in the fairness and transparency of the entire process.

INFOEAST: From your perspective, how bad does the Onitsha Business Ecosystem need such venture Capital Initiatives like the Open Pitch Challenge?

Lovelyn: The Onitsha business ecosystem needs initiatives like the Open Pitch Challenge more than most people realise. Many small and growing brands here are full of potential but are limited by access to funding, structure, and visibility.

Entrepreneurs are working hard, but a lack of capital often keeps businesses operating in survival mode instead of growth mode.

Venture support like this acts as a catalyst. It helps businesses upgrade equipment, improve processes, hire support staff, and think beyond daily sales to long-term scalability.

When one business grows, it creates a ripple effect: more jobs, higher standards, stronger local production, and greater confidence for other entrepreneurs to build and expand.

INFOEAST: Where do you see your business in 10 years? What is the unique offer to customers that sets you apart from your peers?

Lovelyn: In 10 years, I see Clovy Fashion growing into a well-known fashion brand in Nigeria and internationally.

I want it to be more than just a small business. It will offer ready-made clothes, custom designs, and a training centre where young people can learn fashion skills.

What makes us different is that we focus on quality, comfort, and real-life use. We don’t just sew clothes to look good; we make sure they are comfortable and easy to wear every day, especially for children.

We also pay attention to details and consistency. Every piece of cloth we make must meet a high standard. Over time, this will help people trust our brand for high-quality, stylish clothes.

INFOEAST: What advice do you have for Open Grant challenge applicants this year? What do you have to say to this year’s winners on how to utilise the capital they receive?

Lovelyn: To applicants this year, my advice is simple: Be clear and honest about your business. Don’t try to impress with big grammar or ideas that are not real.

Focus on what you are already doing and where you truly need help. Also, prepare well. Understand your numbers, your product, and your direction. Even if you don’t win, the process will help you see your business more clearly.

To the winners, I would say use the capital wisely. Don’t rush to spend it on things that don’t directly grow your business. Focus first on what will improve your production, quality, and capacity to serve more customers. Think long term. Let the money solve real problems in your business, not just short-term wants.