Application
10th – 31st October, 2025
Announcement of Semi-Finalists:
7th November, 2025
Pitch Competition:
20th November, 2025
Incubation Program:
January 2026
Zenith Bank Zecathon 5.0
Showcasing Africa’s boldest founders shaping the future of tech and business.
Igniting Africa’s Next Wave of Innovators.
From Lagos to Cape Town, Nairobi to Accra - the 2025 Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition is where bold ideas meet opportunity. Step onto the continental stage, showcase your solution, and unlock the visibility, partnerships, and resources to scale across Africa and beyond.
13-17, OCT. 2025
|
LANDMARK, LAGOS (NGR)
Zecathon 4.0
HIGHLIGHTS
Igniting Africa’s Next Wave of Innovators.
From Lagos to the Gambia, Sierra Leone to Accra – the 2025 Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition is where bold ideas meet opportunity. Step onto the continental stage, showcase your solution, and unlock the visibility, partnerships, and resources to scale across Africa and beyond.
About the Program
The 2025 Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition at the Zenith Bank Tech Fair is Africa’s stage for bold innovators shaping the future. This year, it highlights Generative AI, Agentic AI, and emerging technologies transforming industries across the continent. The program identifies, nurtures, and accelerates startups across Fintech, AgriTech, HealthTech, ClimateTech, E-commerce, and beyond, offering continental visibility, mentorship, and growth resources to scale with impact. Zenith Bank empowers African innovators to dream bigger, move faster, and turn visionary ideas into real-world solutions.
cash prizes
₦70m
Winners
Top 5
focus sectors
9
FMCG *
INSURANCE *
EDUCATION *
RETAIL & ECOMMERCE *
PAYMENTS & LENDING *
CYBERSECURITY *
AGRICULTURE *
HEALTHCARE *
TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS *
FMCG *
INSURANCE *
EDUCATION *
RETAIL & ECOMMERCE *
PAYMENTS & LENDING *
CYBERSECURITY *
AGRICULTURE *
HEALTHCARE *
TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS *
Focus Areas
This competition seeks to elevate startups innovating in these critical sectors:
FMCG
Digital transformation in consumer goods
01
FMCG
Digital transformation in consumer goods
01
FMCG
Digital transformation in consumer goods
Insurance
Accessible digital insurance solutions
02
Insurance
Accessible digital insurance solutions
02
Insurance
Accessible digital insurance solutions
Education
Enhancing learning accessibility
03
Education
Enhancing learning accessibility
03
Education
Enhancing learning accessibility
Retail & Ecommerce
Driving digital evolution in retail
04
Retail & Ecommerce
Driving digital evolution in retail
04
Retail & Ecommerce
Driving digital evolution in retail
Payments & Lending
Secure and scalable financial solutions
05
Payments & Lending
Secure and scalable financial solutions
05
Payments & Lending
Secure and scalable financial solutions
Cybersecurity
Advanced data protection and security
06
Cybersecurity
Advanced data protection and security
06
Cybersecurity
Advanced data protection and security
Agriculture
Modernized agricultural processes
07
Agriculture
Modernized agricultural processes
07
Agriculture
Modernized agricultural processes
Health
Improving healthcare access and delivery
08
Health
Improving healthcare access and delivery
08
Health
Improving healthcare access and delivery
Transportation & Logistics
Optimizing mobility solutions
09
Transportation & Logistics
Optimizing mobility solutions
09
Transportation & Logistics
Optimizing mobility solutions
Program Structure
This competition seeks to elevate startups innovating in these critical sectors:
Phase 1
Startup Pitch Competition
Showcase your startup’s innovation and
compete for cash prizes.
Phase 2
Incubation Program
Top 5 finalists move into an intensive incubation program to refine their business models and strategies for scalable growth over six weeks, beginning shortly after the pitch competition.
Prizes for Competition Winners
1st Place:
₦30,000,000
2nd – 5th Place
₦10,000,000 each
These cash prizes offer finalists the capital they need to take their ventures to the next level.
Program Timeline
Application
10th - 31st October, 2025
Announcement of
Semi-Finalists:
7th November, 2025
Pitch Competition:
20th November, 2025
Incubation Program:
January 2026
Benefits of the Program
Cash Prizes
Top 5 startups to win 70 million: ₦30 million to the 1st place, and 4 other finalists receive ₦10 million.
Investor Access and Mentorship
Connect with investors, seasoned entrepreneurs, and experts, opening doors for follow-on funding and strategic partnerships.
Strategic Resources
Intensive training in financial management, product development, branding, and market positioning for business growth.
Networking and Exposure
Engage with corporate leaders and potential partners through exclusive events and pitch sessions.
Growth Opportunities
Collaborate with industry leaders for technical support, co-development, and market entry support to drive scalability.
2024 Edition
At Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition last year, the top three winners were Jumpnpass, who won first place and received a cash prize of N25M, followed by Creditchek as the runner-up with N20M, and Salad Africa in third place with N15M. Additionally, seven other finalists each received N2.5M. All finalists participated in the comprehensive incubation program, which provided invaluable resources such as tailored training, access to a network of mentors, investors, and key ecosystem stakeholders, all designed to support their efforts in scaling their businesses and driving sustainable growth.
Meet 2024 Winners
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition & Incubation Program, applicants must:
- Be an early-stage African startups with a registered business entity
- Operate in one or more of the listed focus sectors
- Demonstrate a viable product or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with initial market traction
- Present a scalable business model with clear growth potential
Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your startup! Applications close on [31 October, 2025]
About the Partners
Zenith Bank Plc
Zenith Bank Plc was established in May 1990, and commenced operations in July of the same year as a commercial bank. The Bank became a public limited company on June 17, 2004 and was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on October 21, 2004 following a highly successful Initial Public Offering (IPO). Zenith Bank Plc currently has a shareholder base of more than half a million and is Nigeria’s biggest bank by tier-1 capital. In 2013, the Bank listed $850 million worth of its shares at $6.80 each on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
Beyond Limits
Program Implementation Partner
Beyond Limits is a leading organization dedicated to driving innovation, leadership transformation, and business growth. The company focuses on three core pillars:
(1) fostering entrepreneurship development
(2) facilitating tech ecosystem growth, and
(3) promoting leadership and digital transformation.
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