...
Startup Worldcup Nigeria Challenge

Compete for $1 Million and Represent Nigeria on the Global Stage

Pitch your startup, gain global exposure, and compete at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco

May 20th – 22nd, 2026

State House Banquet hall,
presidential villa, Abuja

Open to Startups
Across Nigeria

Backed by leading organizations

Startup Worldcup Nigeria Challenge

Startup Worldcup
Nigeria Challenge

Date: May 20th - 22nd 2026
Venue: State House Banquet hall, presidential villa, Abuja

SWC Partners

About Startup World Cup

Startup World Cup is a global series of conferences and competitions with the aim of connecting startup ecosystems globally and inspiring the most talented entrepreneurs to compete for the honour of winning the Startup World Cup and a US$1 million investment prize.

The competition consists of three stages: the regional finals (more than 100+ regional competitions are scheduled worldwide); a semi-final and the Grand Finale, all taking place in San Francisco.

On May 20th – 22nd 2026, the Nigeria regional competition will be hosted in Abuja. Through this event, our collaboration partners in Nigeria aim to foster local innovation by bringing together a distinguished startup ecosystem, providing Nigerian startups with exposure and access to some of the top VCs and tech entrepreneurs globally.

During the event, 10 startups, pre-selected by our collaboration partners, will pitch in front of a jury made up of leading investors and serial entrepreneurs.

The winner of this regional pitching competition will represent Nigeria in the subsequent stages of the competition in San Francisco for a chance to win a US$1 million investment prize.

Key Dates

December 1st 2025

Application open

March 31st 2026

Submission Deadline

April 15th 2026

Top 10 Announcement

May 20th 2026

Challenge Finale

What's in it for you?

$ 1 million

get a $1 million investment from Pegasus Tech Ventures by winning the world finals

World finals

Pitch in front of VCs & investors at the world finals in Silicon Valley

Networking

connect with investors in 1on1 meetings, benefit from their experience and get the chance to receive an investment

FINALIST SPOLIGHT

Meet the Top 15 Finalists

Tuul By Digitwhale
Oxymon Solutions Limited
Paypetal
Pivox Technology Limited
Execution Wise
Antlar
CredNet Technologies Limited (CredPal)
CredNet Technologies Limited (CredPal)
Mehtic Technology Limited
Corvendra
Goket Arena Global Ventures Ltd
Allverter Finance Limited
Ancestor Lab

SWC Jury Members

Bukonla Adebakin
Bukonla Adebakin
Chief Operating Officer
Intense Group UK
Isa Aliyushata
Isa Aliyushata
Regional Advisor Africa for Corum Group US
Sherifah Balogun
Sherifah Balogun
Director, Strategy, Funding, and Stakeholder Management at theLagos State Employment Trust Fund
Michael Jidael
Michael Jidael
Director, Payments System Policy Department CBN
EMMANUEL EZEHIWELE
EMMANUEL EZEHIWELE
Co-Founder & CEO of APISentry
Maureen Achonu
Maureen Achonu
Partnership & Coordination Department, SMEDAN

Show your ideas to the world and win the Nigerian & world finals!

Seraphinite AcceleratorOptimized by Seraphinite Accelerator
Turns on site high speed to be attractive for people and search engines.