In a bid to foster innovation and technology-driven solutions, Wema Bank’s Hackaholics 4.0 has crowned ten finalists, granting them over N50 million in cash prizes.
This youth and start-up-centered initiative aims to empower young innovators, providing a launchpad for their tech-driven concepts. The goal is to equip them with skills and a competitive edge in the global digital landscape.
The finalists, hailing from various teams, showcased impressive solutions spanning education, climate, gov tech, health, gender-based violence, financial inclusion, entertainment, fintech, insurance, and civic tech.
Speaking at the ‘Reimagine’ pitch event in Wema Bank Headquarters, Solomon Ayodele, the Head of Innovation and Emerging Technologies, highlighted the initiative’s success since its launch in 2019. It has toured multiple regions and engaged with numerous universities, impacting over 300,000 lives and businesses. Participants have seized opportunities to transition their tech passions into sustainable income sources, securing grants exceeding $200,000.
Over the course of the competition, finalists received invaluable mentorship from esteemed national and global tech entities like Microsoft, KPMG, Samsung, Paystack, Flutterwave, and Dream Space. This hands-on guidance prepared them for the grand finale.
Femi Awoniyi, a Startup Fund Manager at Google and one of the event’s judges, emphasized the criteria for evaluation. They considered the strength of the team, the innovation level of the solution, the soundness of the business model, and its potential for scalability.
Wema Bank’s Hackaholics 4.0 stands as a beacon for emerging innovators, propelling their visions towards impactful real-world solutions and carving a path for them in the dynamic tech industry.
