Zenith Bank Plc has called for applications from eligible Nigerian Startups for its N59 million grants via its pitch competition known as Zecathon 3.0. The competition offers young Nigerian innovators opportunity present their ideas and be rewarded for their inventions.
Other benefits participants would get include business support through training, mentorship, and investor networking opportunities, enabling startups to achieve growth.
Eligibility for Startups
The bank stated that the programme l, which organised in partnership with accelerator company, Seedstarts, is founded with a vision to shape the future of business in Africa.
In a statement by the bank’s Executive Director, Temitope Fasoranti, on 10 November 2023, the startups interested in participating in the Zecathon should already be at the MVP stage with a whole team and have raised about $75,000 in funding.
Fasoranti said the programme aims to upscale startups leveraging technology to solve contemporary problems.
The startups must operate within the following niches:
- Retail,
- e-commerce,
- Fintech (payments, lending),
- MedTech (wellness),
- Cybersecurity,
- EdTech,
- Energy,
- AgricTech,
- Entertainment,
- Transport and logistics, and
- SMEs.
Categories of Grants
1st Prize: N20m– plus an opportunity to pitch investors and access the Seedstars Mentorship Hub.
2nd Prize: N15m – including a scholarship into the Seedstars mentorship hub.
3rd Prize: N10m – complemented by a scholarship into the Seedstars mentorship hub.
The subsequent 10 startups will each be granted a participatory prize of N2m.
The bank said winners would get other benefits other than get cash rewards such as pitch training, be part of a follow-up programme, and access Seedstars’ global network.
How to Apply
To apply for the Zenith Bank Zecathon Grant, log into the Seedstarts website using the link: https://seedsta.rs/40zbMoM
Wish you good luck!