Ecobank Nigeria, in collaboration with Heave Ventures, has unveiled a new competition called InnovateX, designed to empower young Nigerians between the ages of 16 and 25 who are passionate about creativity and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The initiative aims to bridge the gap between talent and enterprise by equipping participants with the tools needed to grow their ideas into impactful ventures.
Announced in Lagos, the competition is open to young creatives including designers, artists, content creators, and others in the creative economy. It also targets developers, engineers, and tech enthusiasts within the STEM space. The top ten participants from across both sectors will share a prize pool of twenty million naira and benefit from mentorship, exposure, and development opportunities.
At the launch event, the Managing Director and Group Executive of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, described InnovateX as more than a competition. He said it represents Ecobank’s broader vision to drive youth innovation and enterprise across Africa by providing a platform that nurtures creativity and builds entrepreneurial capacity.
According to him, InnovateX is a comprehensive development programme that features hybrid boot camps, intensive training in pitching and business development, one-on-one mentorship, and an opportunity to present projects at a high-level grand finale. The initiative is structured to transform raw passion into scalable impact by supporting participants through every stage of their growth.
Participants in the creative track will learn how to turn their artistic talents into sustainable businesses, gaining insights into branding, marketing, intellectual property, and digital distribution. Meanwhile, those in the STEM track will develop the ability to pitch technological innovations, understand product development cycles, explore funding strategies, and learn how to align their ideas with market demand.
The programme is also integrated with the Ecobank Blaze Account, the bank’s youth-centered product tailored for digitally savvy individuals. The Blaze Account serves as a support tool for InnovateX participants, providing access to smart banking features, financial education, and career resources. Through the account, young people can manage their finances more effectively while tapping into opportunities provided throughout the competition and beyond.
In its official statement, the bank emphasized that InnovateX aligns with its goal to create real change by investing in the next generation of African leaders and entrepreneurs. It encourages young people who are passionate about innovation, business, and creativity to seize the opportunity and make their mark.
By launching InnovateX, Ecobank Nigeria and Heave Ventures are not only rewarding excellence but also actively shaping the future of youth enterprise on the continent. The competition offers a powerful platform for participants to gain national and international visibility, form valuable networks, and contribute to Africa’s creative and technological advancement.
