The sum of N20 million has been won by some start-ups at the Ecobank InnovateX challenge organised by the financial institution to empower youth to transform passion into scalable impact.
Business Post gathered that 18 finalists pitched their ventures at the event following weeks of applications, bootcamps, and a public voting phase.
In the creative category, ISIO, Leadforge, and Zulana emerged as the top winners, receiving N5 million, N2 million, and N1 million, respectively, and in the STEM category, the trio of Afrimetrics, Neighborly, and Feedipay claimed the top three prizes of N5 million, N2 million, and N1 million respectively.
Additionally, Stipple Care and Semita AI each received N500,000, while the remaining 10 contestants were awarded N300,000 each.
InnovateX is partnership between Ecobank and Heave Ventures. It was established to showcase bold and transformative ideas from Nigerians aged 16 to 25 in the Creative and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) sectors.
At the grand finale of the competition held at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos, the Executive Director of Commercial and Consumer Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Kola Adeleke, emphasized that, as a pan-African bank, InnovateX is a pivotal initiative aimed at shaping the next generation of changemakers and economic contributors.
“At Ecobank, we are committed to investing in the future of our youth and shaping a brighter future for Nigeria. InnovateX aligns perfectly with this vision.
“We provide digital solutions, products, and services designed for convenience and accessibility, enabling young people to manage their finances anytime, anywhere — especially via mobile, their primary channel of engagement,” he stated, praising the resilience of all participants and encouraged the winners to use their prize funds intentionally to scale their ventures and deepen their impact.
On his part, the chief executive of Heave Ventures, Mr Abiodun Lawal, said, “This is not simply a competition. It’s a celebration of vision, courage, and the vibrant potential of Nigeria’s youth. Congratulations to all finalists and winners — your passion lit up the stage and, with purposeful action, will help shape the future.”
One of the winners, Mr Micah Erumaka, who is the chief executive of Afrimetrics, lauded Ecobank and Heave Ventures for the initiative, urging other corporate organisations to replicate such impactful programmes.
“Ecobank has truly shown it cares about Nigerian youth. This fund will enable me to expand my business and create jobs,” he declared.