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Zenith Bank Launches Zecathon 4.0: A Golden Opportunity for Nigerian Startups!
Zenith Bank Launches Zecathon 4.0: A Golden Opportunity for Nigerian Startups!
Zenith Bank has officially announced the fourth edition of its flagship Startup Pitch Competition and Incubation Program, Zecathon 4.0, coinciding with the highly anticipated Zenith Bank Tech Fair. With over ₦70 million in cash prizes at stake, this year’s competition aims to identify and accelerate the growth of innovative Nigerian startups across various sectors, including Embedded Finance, Cybersecurity, Fintech, HealthTech, Agritech, and E-commerce.
Applications are now open and can be submitted via https://beyondlimits.global/zenithbankpitchcompetition/. This is an exciting chance for early-stage Nigerian startups to showcase their groundbreaking ideas and gain access to invaluable resources that can help scale their businesses.
Zenith Bank Launches Zecathon 4.0: A Golden Opportunity for Nigerian Startups!
Zecathon 4.0 features a startup pitch competition followed by a comprehensive six-week incubation program. This initiative is designed to provide participants with mentorship, exposure, and strategic partnerships that are necessary for success in today’s rapidly changing technology landscape. “Zenith Bank remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s startup ecosystem,” said Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc. “Through Zecathon 4.0, we aim to unlock the potential of visionary entrepreneurs, propelling them toward scalable growth and success,” she added.
This year’s competition is open to early-stage Nigerian startups with innovative solutions in various sectors, including FMCG, insurance, education, retail, agriculture, and more. A total cash prize of ₦77.5 million will be awarded, with the top three winners receiving ₦25 million, ₦20 million, and ₦15 million, respectively. Additionally, seven other startups in the top ten will win ₦2.5 million each.
Beyond the cash rewards, the winners will also enter a six-week incubation program, set to run from December 2024 to February 2025, designed to help them grow and scale effectively. Interested applicants must submit their entries by November 15, 2024, with finalists announced on November 18, 2024, ahead of the live pitch competition on November 21, 2024.
To qualify, startups must be registered Nigerian entities with a viable product or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that demonstrates market traction. A scalable business model with clear growth potential is also required.
Last year’s edition of Zecathon showcased remarkable talent, with winners receiving substantial cash awards and valuable incubation opportunities. Sync emerged as the first-place winner, taking home ₦20 million, followed by Skil Up With Kahdsole (SUWK) and Tribapay.
Don’t miss this opportunity to take your startup to the next level! To apply, visit https://beyondlimits.global/zenithbankpitchcompetition/.
About Zenith Bank: Established in 1990, Zenith Bank Plc is Nigeria’s largest bank by tier-1 capital and has a strong commitment to supporting the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
About Beyond Limits: As the official program implementation partner for Zecathon 4.0, Beyond Limits focuses on fostering entrepreneurship, facilitating tech ecosystem growth, and promoting leadership and digital transformation.
Unlock your startup’s potential at Zecathon 4.0 – the future of innovation awaits!
