Zenith Bank Zecathon 4.0
2024 Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition:
Empowering Nigeria’s high-potential startups to lead in tech-driven transformation.
Unleash Innovation.
Shape the Future.
Drive Growth.
Join us at the Zenith Bank Tech Fair to showcase your solution, gain visibility, and access critical resources to fuel your startup’s journey toward growth and impact.
Zenith Bank
Zecathon 4.0
2024 Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition
Empowering Nigeria’s high-potential startups to lead in tech-driven transformation.
Unleash Innovation.
Shape the Future.
Drive Growth.
Join us at the Zenith Bank Tech Fair to showcase your solution, gain visibility, and access critical resources to fuel your startup’s journey toward growth and impact.
About the Program
The Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition is a key highlight of the Zenith Bank Tech Fair, with the 2024 conference focusing on Embedded Finance, Cybersecurity & Growth Imperatives – The Impact of AI. This initiative is designed to discover and accelerate the growth of innovative Nigerian startups across sectors such as Fintech, AgriTech, HealthTech, E-commerce, and more.
Through a competitive pitch platform and an incubation phase, early-stage startups will gain valuable exposure, expert guidance, and essential resources to scale and make a lasting impact on Nigeria’s digital economy. Zenith Bank is committed to empowering and nurturing Nigerian tech startups, offering innovative solutions, mentorship, and opportunities to drive transformative change across Africa’s business landscape.
Focus Sectors
This competition seeks to elevate startups innovating in these critical sectors:
FMCG
Digital transformation in consumer goods
Insurance
Accessible digital insurance solution
Education
Enhancing learning accessibility
Retail & Ecommerce
Driving digital evolution in retail
Payments & Lending
Secure and scalable financial solutions
Cybersecurity
Advanced data protection and security
Agriculture
Modernized agricultural processes
Health
Improving healthcare access and delivery
Transportation & Logistics
Optimizing mobility solutions
Program Structure
Phase 1: Startup Pitch Competition
Showcase your startup’s innovation and compete for cash prizes
Phase 2: Incubation Program
Top 10 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: ₦25 million
- 2nd Place: ₦20 million
- 3rd Place: ₦15 million
- Other Finalists: ₦2.5 million each
Program Timeline
Application
📆 8th - 15th November, 2024
Announcement of Finalists
📆 18th November, 2024
Pitch Competition
📆 21st November, 2024
Incubation Program
📆Dec. 2024 - Feb. 2025
Benefits of the Program
Cash Prizes: Top three startups receive ₦25 million, ₦20 million, and ₦15 million respectively; all other finalists receive ₦2.5 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.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition & Incubation Program, applicants must:
- Be early-stage Nigerian 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 15 November, 2024.
2023 Edition
In the previous edition of the Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition, the top three winners were Sync, who won first place and received a cash prize of ₦20M, followed by Skil Up With Kahdsole (SUWK) as the runner-up with ₦15M, and Tribapay in third place with ₦10M. Additionally, seven other finalists each received ₦2M. 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.
About the Partners
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).
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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