About this opportunity
Plenty of Nigerian startups have customers and no stage. The Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2026 Startup Pitch Competition is built for exactly that group: companies already in the market, at pre-seed or seed stage, that have never had ten minutes in front of investors and corporate leaders in the same room.
The money is ₦10 million, equity free, and it is split across the top three finalists, with ₦5 million for first, ₦3 million for second and ₦2 million for third. You keep your company. Winners are announced on stage at the final on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at the Ibom LED Centre in Uyo, during Akwa Ibom Tech Week, which runs 2 to 7 November 2026 under the theme Scaling the Frontier: From Homegrown Innovation to Global Markets.
This is a Nigerian call with a state anchor. You qualify if your startup is headquartered in Akwa Ibom State, or is based elsewhere in Nigeria and already operates in the state, and if you have a launched product in use by real customers or users, you are at pre-seed or seed stage, and a founder can be in Uyo for the final. Startups from every sector are welcome, Akwa Ibom based companies get preference, and each startup may submit one application.
The judging is blunt about what matters. Traction and evidence carry 25 per cent, the highest weight on the sheet, followed by problem and market at 20 per cent, then product, business model and team at 15 per cent each, with the pitch and Q and A at 10 per cent. So the numbers you show, customers or users, monthly revenue and growth, do most of the talking.
Have three things ready before you open the form: a pitch deck as a PDF of no more than 15 slides and 10MB, a 60 second founder video on YouTube or Google Drive that anyone with the link can view, and your latest traction figures. With those prepared the provider says the form takes about 15 minutes, and applying is free.
The calendar is tight and public. Applications run 13 to 25 October 2026 and close at 23:59 on the Sunday, reviewers score every eligible application between 26 and 28 October and invite a shortlist of 20 to a 15 minute call, ten finalists are announced by email on 29 October and must confirm attendance by noon on 30 October, finalists join an online pitch coaching session on 30 October, and the final happens on 3 November, where each founder pitches for five minutes and answers the jury for five. Finalists also receive delegate passes for Tech Week and meet the judges and partner investors.
What you receive
- ₦10 million in equity free cash prizes across the top three finalists, ₦5 million, ₦3 million and ₦2 million.
- A five minute main stage pitch in front of investors, corporate leaders and the Tech Week audience, plus five minutes of jury questions.
- Every finalist joins an online pitch coaching session before the final.
- Finalists meet the judges and partner investors at Tech Week and receive delegate passes for the week.
- Free to apply, with the form taking about 15 minutes once your materials are ready.
- You keep all of your company, the prize is cash and takes no equity.
Who can apply
- Your startup is headquartered in Akwa Ibom State, or is based elsewhere in Nigeria and already operates in the state.
- You have a launched product in use by real customers or users.
- You are at pre-seed or seed stage.
- A founder can be in Uyo for the final on 3 November 2026.
- Startups from every sector are welcome, and startups based in Akwa Ibom are given preference.
- Each startup may submit one application.
Who should not apply
- A startup with no launched product and no real customers or users does not meet the stated criteria, the competition is for companies already in the market.
- Applicants who cannot put a founder in Uyo for the in person final on 3 November 2026 do not meet the eligibility list.
- A second application from the same startup is outside the one application per startup rule.
Documents to prepare
- A pitch deck as a PDF of no more than 15 slides and 10MB.
- A 60 second founder video on YouTube or Google Drive, viewable by anyone with the link.
- Your latest traction figures: customers or users, monthly revenue and growth.
How to apply
- Check the four eligibility points on the competition page at https://www.akwaibomtechweek.com/2026/pitchcompetition, especially whether you already operate in Akwa Ibom State.
- Prepare your pitch deck as a PDF of up to 15 slides and 10MB.
- Record a 60 second founder video and set it so anyone with the link can view it, on YouTube or Google Drive.
- Write down your latest traction figures: customers or users, monthly revenue and growth.
- Open the application form at https://platform.innox.africa/apply/ibom-innovation-network/aktw-pitch-competition-2026 and submit before Sunday 25 October 2026.
- If you are shortlisted, take the 15 minute call between 26 and 28 October, and if you are one of the ten finalists, confirm attendance by noon on 30 October and join the coaching session the same day.
Selection process
- Applications are open from 13 October and close at 23:59 on 25 October 2026.
- Reviewers score every eligible application between 26 and 28 October 2026 and invite a shortlist of 20 to a 15 minute call.
- Ten finalists are announced by email on 29 October 2026 and confirm attendance by noon on 30 October 2026.
- Finalists join an online pitch coaching session on 30 October 2026.
- The final runs on 3 November 2026 at the Ibom LED Centre in Uyo, after a morning stage check, with a five minute pitch and five minutes of jury questions each, and winners announced the same day.
- Scoring weights: traction and evidence 25 per cent, problem and market 20 per cent, product 15 per cent, business model 15 per cent, team 15 per cent, the pitch and Q and A 10 per cent.
Sources and verification
Questions applicants ask
Is there an application fee?
No. Applying is free, and the provider says the form takes about 15 minutes once your deck, video and traction figures are ready.
Do I have to be based in Akwa Ibom?
Not strictly. You can apply if your startup is headquartered in Akwa Ibom State or is based elsewhere in Nigeria and already operates in the state. Startups based in Akwa Ibom are given preference.
Is the prize money equity free?
Yes. The ₦10 million is equity free cash for the top three finalists, ₦5 million, ₦3 million and ₦2 million, and the provider states that you keep all of your company.
When does it close?
Applications close at 23:59 on Sunday 25 October 2026, with the window running from 13 October 2026.
What are you judged on?
Traction and evidence carries the most weight at 25 per cent, then problem and market at 20 per cent, product, business model and team at 15 per cent each, and the pitch and Q and A at 10 per cent.
Can I pitch online?
No. The final is in person at the Ibom LED Centre in Uyo on 3 November 2026, and a founder must be able to be there.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
