Zenith Bank has announced the fourth edition of its flagship Startup Pitch Competition and Incubation Program, Zecathon 4.0, as part of the highly anticipated Zenith Bank Tech Fair. The program, now in its fourth year, aims to identify and support high-potential Nigerian startups in key sectors such as Embedded Finance, Cybersecurity, Fintech, HealthTech, Agritech, and E-commerce, among others.
Applications are currently open here, with a focus on early-stage startups with innovative solutions that can thrive in Nigeria’s dynamic tech ecosystem. The competition offers substantial rewards, including cash prizes totaling ₦77.5 million, mentorship, and strategic partnerships.
“We are dedicated to nurturing Nigeria’s startup ecosystem,” said Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank. “Zecathon 4.0 aims to unlock the potential of visionary entrepreneurs and guide them toward scalable growth and success.”
The competition features a six-week incubation program, designed to provide mentorship, exposure, and strategic resources for startups to grow and scale effectively. It will run from December 2024 to February 2025, giving winners the support they need to take their businesses to the next level.
The top three winners will receive ₦25 million, ₦20 million, and ₦15 million, respectively, while the remaining seven finalists will each receive ₦2.5 million. These startups will also be inducted into the six-week incubation program.
Eligible participants must be early-stage Nigerian startups with a registered business and a viable product or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) demonstrating market traction. Startups must also present a scalable business model and clear growth potential.
Applications for the Pitch Competition close on November 15, 2024. Finalists will be announced on November 18, 2024, and will pitch their ideas in person on November 21, 2024.
Zecathon 4.0 aims to encourage innovation, collaboration, and growth in sectors such as FMCG, education, retail, cybersecurity, agriculture, and transportation. Beyond financial rewards, winners will gain access to invaluable resources that will help scale their businesses in a competitive and fast-evolving market.
In the previous edition, Sync took home the first-place prize of ₦20 million, followed by Skil Up With Kahdsole (SUWK) with ₦15 million, and Tribapay with ₦10 million. Seven other finalists also received ₦2 million each, alongside participation in the incubation program.
Zenith Bank, established in 1990, is Nigeria’s leading bank by tier-1 capital. It has a strong presence in the global financial market, with a listing on the London Stock Exchange and over half a million shareholders.
About Beyond Limits:
Beyond Limits, the official program implementation partner for Zecathon 4.0, is a leading organization focused on fostering entrepreneurship, facilitating tech ecosystem growth, and promoting leadership and digital transformation.
