Blue Sands STEM Lab has clinched the grand prize at MarkHack 4.0, Nigeria’s leading marketing and technology hackathon, solidifying its place as a rising force in the country’s innovation ecosystem. The event, themed “Experience Ignited: Fueling the Consumer Journey,” was held in Lagos and brought together over 150 startups developing tech-driven solutions to modern marketing challenges.
At the climax of the pitch competition, Blue Sands STEM Lab emerged the overall winner, walking away with a N2 million cash prize. Next Vibe claimed the first runner-up position with N1.5 million, while Jarvis took home N1 million as the second runner-up. Other participants were rewarded with laptops in recognition of their creativity and effort.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology praised the determination and creativity of Nigerian youth, noting that their resilience continues to earn international recognition. He described Lagos as a place where innovation thrives despite tough conditions, stating that “technology is no longer the future of marketing—it is the present.”
He called on marketers and businesses to go beyond basic tech adoption, urging them to stretch the boundaries of innovation. “If you are not leveraging it, you are not just behind, you are invisible,” he warned. Highlighting the decline of traditional marketing tools, he emphasized that the modern landscape demands data-driven strategies, real-time analytics, automation, and AI-powered solutions.
“Sharper tools and smarter insight are crucial,” he added. “Technology gives us the ability to target audiences with precision, personalise campaigns, and deliver content at the perfect moment. It’s not just evolution—it’s a revolution.”
The commissioner urged stakeholders to invest in talent that bridges creativity and coding, saying the most effective campaigns today are those that emerge from the intersection of imagination and machine learning. He also encouraged experimentation and deeper interventions to build tools that elevate marketing strategies to new levels.
Also speaking at the event, CEO of Awesome Communications and publisher of Brand Communicator, described true innovation as technology amplifying human connection. Reflecting on the plenary session, he emphasized the transformative power of digital storytelling in reshaping brand experiences within Nigeria’s marketing ecosystem.
“The energy here tonight is proof that something transformative is happening,” he said, pointing to the fusion of creativity and technology as the future of brand engagement.
The event concluded with the Nigerian MarkTech Awards, which honoured outstanding achievements in applying data and AI to marketing campaigns, reinforcing the dynamic and fast-paced evolution of the industry.
