Where Research Becomes Real-World Impact
Babcock Innovation & Ventures is the commercialization engine of Babcock University — transforming academic research into startups, licensed technologies and industry partnerships that drive economic growth across Africa.
Mission, Vision & Values
Our Mission
To transform Babcock University's research and intellectual capital into commercially viable innovations, startups and industry solutions that create economic value and solve Africa's most pressing challenges.
Our Vision
To be Africa's leading university innovation and venture ecosystem — a place where every research breakthrough finds its path to market and every student entrepreneur finds the support to build a world-class company.
Innovation History
Transforming research into real-world impact across Africa.
Babcock Innovation & Ventures Officially Inaugurated
On April 21, 2026, Babcock Innovation & Ventures was formally inaugurated at the inaugural BIV Innovation Summit — a landmark event attended by 600+ participants including investors, researchers, government officials, and founders. BIV succeeds RIIC and BEC as the unified commercialization engine of Babcock University, launching with ₦100M ($62.5K) minimum in committed pilot funding drawn from a significantly larger fund pool, 12 annual programs, 3 innovation tracks, and a mandate to become Africa's leading university venture ecosystem.
Launch Highlights
BIV Structural Framework
Innovation Hub
Venture Studio
Research Commercialization Desk
Dual-Lane Model
Institutional Innovation Lane
(Academic-driven solutions)
Research outputs from faculty and graduate programs are screened, validated, and packaged for licensing, spin-offs, and publication.
Venture Creation Lane
(Market-driven startups)
Student-led ideas and faculty ventures are incubated into investable companies through BIV's accelerator tracks and pilot fund.
BIV Board
The eleven-member governing body providing strategic leadership, oversight, and direction for Babcock Innovation & Ventures.
Prof. Afolarin Tunde Ojewole
Chairman, BIV Board · Vice-Chancellor, Babcock University
Prof. Afolarin Tunde Ojewole is the Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University and Chairman of the BIV Board. Providing visionary leadership at the intersection of faith, excellence, and innovation, he ensures BIV's mission is fully aligned with the University's long-term academic and developmental goals.
Dr. Raymond Okoro Ph.D.
Co-Chair, BIV Board of Directors
Dr. Raymond Okoro serves as Co-Chair of the BIV Board of Directors and Founding CTO of The Colligate Enterprises, with a proven track record as a CTO and CIO across multiple organizations, driving enterprise architecture, platform innovation, and large-scale digital transformation.
Engr. Charles Nnaji
Project Coordinator, BIV Board
Engr. Charles Nnaji serves as Project Coordinator on the BIV Board, overseeing the execution of BIV's strategic initiatives. He is also MD of Visionspec Nigeria Limited, a licensed Microsoft Partner, with deep expertise in AI, Cloud Computing, and enterprise digital transformation.
Arvind Ravishunkar
Industry Tech Accelerator, BIV
Arvind Ravishunkar is a San Francisco-based technology executive specialising in AI innovation, accelerators, and digital strategy. He leads AI Ventures & Innovation at BITSoM (BITS School of Management) and is Founder/CEO of Lenz AI Innovation Studio — an AI corporate accelerator in Silicon Valley delivering agentic AI solutions and 10x ROI for enterprises. As GM of the GenAI Think Tank & Incubator at Wipro Lab45, he drove $11M in incubation with global GenAI startups alongside Y Combinator and Sequoia. His consulting strategies have shaped $100M+ revenue models for Walmart, Wipro, and ABB. As BIV's Industry Tech Accelerator, he bridges Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem with Babcock's emerging venture pipeline.
Prof. 'Shade Kuyoro
Staff Inclusiveness Coordinator, BIV Board | Professor of Computer Science
Prof. 'Shade Kuyoro is a Professor of Computer Science at Babcock University and a leading AI researcher specialising in machine learning, data intelligence, and intelligent systems. Her work spans real-world AI solutions across healthcare, education, and enterprise domains. As Staff Inclusiveness Coordinator on the BIV Board, she ensures BIV's innovation ecosystem remains equitable, diverse, and accessible to all Babcock communities.
Other BIV Desks
Specialist operational units supporting the BIV Board
BIV Partners
Industry leaders, technology companies and institutions supporting Babcock Innovation & Ventures.
Babcock University
Host Institution
Technology Partner
Amazon Web Services
Cloud Infrastructure Partner
Microsoft
Enterprise Tech Partner
MTN Nigeria
Telecom & Connectivity
Airtel Nigeria
Telecom & Digital Services
Access Bank
Banking & Finance Partner
eTransact
Payment Solutions Partner
Flutterwave
Payment Infrastructure
Andela
Tech Talent & Training
Visionspec Nigeria
ICT & AI Solutions
NITDA
Government Tech Agency
The Colligate Enterprises
Strategic Innovation Partner
Get in Touch with BIV
Whether you're a researcher, investor, industry partner or student — we'd love to hear from you.