The much-anticipated Pitch2Win competition concluded on December 13, 2024, with innovative entrepreneurs showcasing groundbreaking business ideas before a distinguished panel of judges.
Hack 51, Decenter AI and Wear Naija emerged as the top three winners, walking away with prizes of ₦5 million, ₦3 million, and ₦2 million respectively. Additionally, ten other participants received ₦100,000 each for their exceptional contributions to the competition.
Pitch2Win has cemented itself as a game-changing initiative within Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event is backed by The Factory, an innovative idea incubator that empowers entrepreneurs, tech startups, and talented individuals to turn their dreams into reality.
It is done in collaboration with TrendX, the one-stop blockchain platform for education and asset tokenization, and Stableblocks, a leading player in blockchain technology, highlighting emerging trends and innovative solutions shaping the future.
L-R: Nelson Elemi, Co-founder/CEO TrendX; Genevieve Duke-Phillips, Partner at Duke & Bobmanuel LLP; Oluwatofunmi Idowu, Operations Analyst, Loftyinc Capital; Simisola Eyisanmi, Senior Lawyer, Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe; Dipo Gbadebo, Co-founder/ CTO at Flick; and Caleb Nnamani, Reporter/Content Writer, NODO, at the Pitch2Win Competition organised by The Factory in Calabar.
Nelson Elemi, the visionary co-founder of TrendX, whose drive to nurture innovation and foster transformation has been relentless over the years, emphasized that the event represents more than just a competition, but also a platform to empower startups and inspire the next wave of business leaders.
“The journey of entrepreneurship requires boldness, vision and willingness to fight for the idea. With Pitch2Win, we are not just handing out prizes; we are creating a launchpad for transformative ideas to thrive,” Elemi said.
The Pitch2Win journey began with an open call for applications on November 15, 2024, which saw entrepreneurs from diverse industries submit their ideas. After a rigorous review process, 10 outstanding participants were selected based on pitch quality, business potential, and growth scalability.
The finalists participated in a four-day mentorship program from December 7 to 10, where they received guidance from industry experts on entrepreneurship, innovation, and growth strategies. This culminated in an exciting Pitch Day on December 13, featuring keynote speeches, engaging presentations, and collaborative networking opportunities.
Pitch Day also featured a presentation by Stableblocks. Attendees engaged in valuable networking sessions, fostering collaboration between participants, judges, and investors.
The Pitch2Win competition is a testament to the growing appetite for innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Thanks to the vision behind The Factory, the competition has become a catalyst for driving business excellence and fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Factory is an innovative idea incubator where imagination meets creation. It empowers entrepreneurs, tech startups, and talented individuals to turn their dreams into reality by providing the resources, guidance, and support needed to scale and succeed.
The Factory’s focus areas include nurturing tech startups, offering top-tier talent development programs for founders through mentorship and business resources, and driving creative innovation to revolutionize the entertainment industry with groundbreaking experiences.