Nigeria’s raising stars took the spotlight as the top startups showcased their work at the iHatch National Demo Day, marking the end of months of hustling, state-level selections, and regional competitions. The event, part of the 4th Cohort of the iHatch programme, was organised by NITDA in partnership with JICA and brought together investors, hub managers, and policymakers to witness some of the most promising ideas in the country.
iHatch, launched in 2021, was created to give young Nigerians an enabling environment to build and scale innovative solutions. According to organisers, the programme supports the Federal Government’s drive under President @officialABAT’s Renewed Hope Agenda by offering a clear platform for homegrown talent to contribute to digital transformation and economic diversification.
After a rigorous selection process, the top founders gathered to present their innovations, and the standout performers were announced. Interface Africa secured 15,000 dollars for what the organisers described as a solution that is driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition by providing structured and affordable solar financing. Ahioma earned 12,000 dollars for a digital marketplace improving food accessibility by connecting consumers directly with trusted vendors.
Linia Finance received 10,000 dollars for helping Nigerians manage their money with budgeting, tracking, and smart planning tools. Chapta was rewarded with a laptop for developing an offline-capable school application that ensures consistent and accessible learning for students in any location. Softdrop also received a laptop reward for its modern delivery platform aimed at tackling logistics challenges with speed, convenience, and efficiency.
The organisers noted that today’s Demo Day shows innovation is growing across Nigeria, reaching cities, communities, and hubs at every level.
