Apodissi

What Apodissi does

Apodissi Ltd is a Nigerian-registered private limited company (RC 1960582) headquartered at 10 Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos, with regional offices in Windhoek/Swakopmund (Namibia), Dubai (UAE), and Udine (Italy). Co-founded by Margherita Trestini (General Manager, 30 years in EU R&I) and Adriano Mauro (Director of Technology Development, 35+ years in EU/African industrial R&D), the firm employs 20 professionals across four countries and is privately held with no disclosed investors or funding rounds. Its core function is to act as an international consultancy and project coordinator that bridges EU funding mechanisms (Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Horizon 2020, GIZ, Italian Cooperation Agency, UK Innovation Fund, USAID) with African organisations, and to deploy Industry 4.0, digital innovation, smart agriculture, and green economy technologies across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

The company's technology and product portfolio centres on four platforms and four technology lines. Smart Step is a multilingual e-learning platform with AI-driven content and job matchmaking, Zoom-integrated virtual classes, and blockchain-based certification, currently serving over 2,500 learners across Africa. Alfredo4EU is an AI-powered workspace that guides organisations through the EU funding proposal lifecycle, including partner matching, budget planning, workflow management, and proposal editing. DigiWood is a Digital Furniture Innovation Hub aggregating interior design and manufacturing SMEs across Africa, complemented by the DigiWood Academy. DataScientia is a University of Trento-led global responsible AI initiative in which Apodissi holds the strategic partner role for Africa. Alongside these platforms, Apodissi develops and deploys four proprietary technology lines: collaborative robots (cobots) including an industry-first autonomous MIG welding, grinding, cleaning, and polishing cobot; a Smart Remote Expert Solution that turns smart devices into voice-controlled field workflow tools; tailored drone solutions for aerial monitoring, mapping, and agriculture; and a patented additive manufacturing design software that simulates 3D printing for MRO parts.

The business model combines project-based EU/development funding with service fees and nascent recurring revenue. Apodissi identifies grant calls, assembles multi-country consortia, develops winning proposals, and executes projects — revenue is realised through EU programme budgets routed to the company as a coordinator or partner. Service revenue comes from capacity-building programmes, vocational training, science communication and dissemination, and international market-entry support for European players entering African markets. A growing subscription/recurring layer sits on Alfredo4EU (subscription), while Smart Step operates a freemium model. Customers are predominantly institutional: GIZ (SEDIN, Digital Transformation Center), the European Commission and its agencies (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, Erasmus+), Italian Cooperation Agency, and development finance institutions; commercial enterprise customers include IO Furniture and a cluster of Nigerian Digital Innovation Hubs. Margherita Trestini additionally serves as Nigeria's National Contact Point for EIT and EIC programmes, embedding the company inside EU innovation diplomacy.

Name

Apodissi

Legal name

Apodissi Ltd

Website

https://apodissi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Apodissi is a Lagos-based international R&I consultancy that bridges EU-Africa research collaboration, deploying Industry 4.0 technologies, running AI-powered e-learning (Smart Step) and EU funding platforms (Alfredo4EU), and serving MSMEs, governments, and vocational institutions across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Research and Innovation Consulting

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Access & Quality (International Development) (BPAGABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Access & EdTech for Equity (Low-cost Learning, Skills Platforms) (BPAGALAH), International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB), Development Cooperation & Foreign Aid Administration (BPAIAIAG)

Keywords

• Research innovation consulting
• EU funding advisory
• Technology transfer services
• Vocational training programmes
• Digital innovation hubs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lagos

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. EU Research & Innovation Project Funding: Apodissi identifies and secures funding for R&I&D projects from top-tier sources including European Commission (Horizon Europe, Erasmus+), GIZ, UK Innovation Fund, Italian Cooperation Agency, USAID, and UKN Funds. They assemble expert teams to develop winning proposals.
2. Capacity Building & Training Services: Customised training content and pedagogy for digital innovation uptake by MSMEs, industries, and unemployed youths. Vocational training programmes in green waste management, IoT, smart logistics, and drone assembly.
3. Science Communication & Dissemination: Communication and dissemination services for research and innovation projects through websites, events, social media, graphic animation, and press activation. Curation of multimedia stories, hackathons, and events.
4. International Market Entry Support: Support for international industry players entering emerging markets through quali-quantitative market research, strategic partnership facilitation, and comprehensive market launch support in African markets.
5. Alfredo4EU Platform: AI-powered platform guiding organisations through EU proposal process, including partner matching, collaborative platform, proposal guidance, budget planning, workflow management, literature review, impact assessment, and proposal editing.
6. Smart Step eLearning Platform: Multilingual e-learning platform providing vocational education and training with AI-driven matchmaking for content and job opportunities, blockchain-based certification, and career pathway services.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Apodissi is an EU-Africa research and innovation consultancy that sources funding (Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, GIZ, USAID), assembles expert teams, develops winning proposals, and delivers cross-border innovation projects connecting African, European, and Middle Eastern partners. It also deploys proprietary future-production technologies (cobots, drones, additive manufacturing, Smart Remote Expert) and operates the Smart Step e-learning platform, Alfredo4EU AI proposal platform, and the DigiWood digital furniture innovation hub.

Product overview

Apodissi offers a portfolio of platforms and technology solutions: Smart Step is a multilingual e-learning platform with AI-driven personalization and Zoom-integrated virtual classes; Alfredo4EU is an AI-powered EU funding proposal platform; Digiwood is a digital furniture innovation hub; and DataScientia is a global responsible AI initiative. The company also develops technology products including collaborative robots (cobots), Smart Remote Expert Solutions, drone solutions, and additive manufacturing software.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DigiWood: Africa's premier Digital Furniture Innovation Hub, aggregating interior design and manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria and across Africa. It helps digitalise their processes, share best practices, and offers competitive solutions to the furniture retail, residential, and commercial real estate sectors.
• Alfredo4EU
• Smart Step
• DataScientia

Products and services

• Smart Step e-learning platform
• Alfredo4EU

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• GIZ Digital Transformation CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApodissi partnered with GIZ DTC on multiple initiatives including MSMEs digitalisation research across 10 Nigerian states, establishment of 5 vertical industries' Digital Innovation Hubs in Nigeria, and business development mentoring for hub operators.
• European CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApodissi participates in numerous EU-funded projects including Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and Horizon 2020 programmes. Current projects include PrAEctiCE, RURALITIES, GH-SAFE, DIGILOGIC, SYNAPSE, SUSTAIN-IT, GreenVETAfrica, CIRCUWASTEVETAFRICA, GROW, METAVET, and NCP4EIT.
• National Contact Point for EITcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMargherita Trestini serves as National Contact Point for the European Institute of Innovation & Technology and the European Innovation Council programmes in Nigeria, facilitating connections between EU and Nigerian innovation ecosystems.
• ArmstrongflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLetter of Intent signed to integrate Agentic AI technologies into the multilingual Smart Step e-learning platform. The partnership will deploy intelligent agents for personalised learning assistance and content navigation enhancement.
• DataScientiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApodissi acts as strategic partner expanding DataScientia's presence across Africa, leading engagement of African universities, research centres, innovation hubs, and policymakers. DataScientia is a global initiative for responsible AI led by University of Trento.
• CivittacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaboration on GIZ Digital Innovation Hub bootcamps in Nigeria. Civitta and Apodissi jointly trained selected Digital Innovation Hubs on proposal writing and funding acquisition.
• IO FurniturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdriano Mauro serves as General Manager of Operations at IO Furniture in Lagos, where he established the production plant, led digitisation of company processes, and integrated the logistics network. IO Furniture represents Apodissi's applied manufacturing expertise.
• AREA ItaliaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdriano Mauro is also founder of AREA Italia. Collaboration on GIZ bootcamp as mentor providing SME technology transfer expertise.
• University of Namibia (UNAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ information sessions. UNAM and Apodissi jointly host events to raise awareness of EU funding opportunities for higher education institutions and research organisations in Namibia.
• Swakopmund MunicipalityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough CircuWasteVETAfrica project, collaboration with Swakopmund Municipality to promote circular economy approaches and sustainable waste management practices.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of FinlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research partner appearing in Apodissi's partner network. Contributes to cross-border innovation collaboration between European and African ecosystems.
• AI Hub for Sustainable DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsed by G7 leaders and co-led by Italy's Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy and UNDP. Apodissi participated in Bologna AI Hub Ecosystem Event and signed Letter of Intent with Armstrong through this platform.
• EURAXESS AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Union initiative supporting researcher mobility. Jointly organised Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ information sessions with Apodissi in Namibia.
• Youth4CanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNamibian youth-led organisation dedicated to environmental and community action. Partner in SYNAPSE Virtual Exchange Project fostering cross-border collaboration and digital learning.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ENABEL: Belgian Development Cooperation agency executing EU- and Belgian-funded programmes in partner countries, with active operations across Africa and explicit focus on digital innovation, youth employment, and entrepreneurship — the same target outcomes as Apodissi's Smart Step and DigiWood work.
• Technopolis Group: International research and innovation policy consultancy with deep expertise in EU framework programmes (Horizon Europe, Erasmus+) and impact evaluation. Operates the same EU-Africa R&I consortium facilitation model that Apodissi runs, but at significantly larger scale and geographic footprint.
• Palladium: International development consulting firm operating across 90+ countries with strong focus on impact-led, donor-funded programme delivery in Africa and Asia. Comparable business model to Apodissi, including consortium management and innovation-focused programming.
• Swisscontact: Swiss foundation promoting economic, social, and ecological development through vocational skills, SME support, and innovation programmes. Highly comparable to Apodissi's capacity-building and vocational training work in emerging African markets.
• SNV Netherlands Development Organisation: Dutch development organisation working on agri-food, energy, and water across Africa with an emphasis on MSME digitalisation and inclusive growth. Mirrors Apodissi's blend of EU-funded project management and on-the-ground African delivery.
• DAI Global: International development consulting firm implementing donor-funded programmes in governance, agriculture, and economic growth across Africa. Comparable to Apodissi in business model (donor-funded project delivery with consortium partners) and end clients (EU, USAID, FCDO).

Emerging players

• Ubongo: Tanzania-headquartered African EdTech producing multilingual, video-based educational content for children and youth across the continent. Comparable to Apodissi's Smart Step platform as a pan-African, multilingual EdTech targeting youth empowerment and employability.

Broad incumbents

• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): Germany's federal agency for international cooperation, operating across Africa with a mandate on SME digitalisation, skills development, and innovation ecosystems. GIZ is simultaneously Apodissi's primary engagement partner (SEDIN, Digital Transformation Center) and a broader incumbent whose programmes Apodissi helps implement.
• Tetra Tech International Development: Large-scale international development consultancy implementing donor-funded programmes across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Operates in the same EU/USAID/DFID funding ecosystem as Apodissi but at substantially larger scale and broader service scope.

Regional players

• Tony Blair Institute for Global Change: Government advisory organisation focused on political and economic reform in African and Middle Eastern countries, with active delivery on digitalisation, innovation, and youth employment. Comparable to Apodissi in mission (Africa-focused, donor-funded, government-facing) and customer type.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Apodissi_Intl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Apodissi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apodissi

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Apodissi