Zenith Bank has opened applications for Zecathon 6.0, the sixth edition of its flagship innovation and startup competition, delivered in partnership with Beyond Limits. The Startup Pitch Competition gives growth-stage African startups a platform to showcase their businesses, connect with investors and unlock opportunities to scale. This year's edition carries a record ₦190 million prize pool across three categories, up from ₦140 million at Zecathon 5.0. Applications are free.
Prizes for the Startup Pitch Competition
The top five startups share a ₦90 million prize pool:
- 1st Position: ₦35 million
- 2nd Position: ₦20 million
- 3rd Position: ₦15 million
- 4th Position: ₦10 million
- 5th Position: ₦10 million
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Stage: Be a growth-stage startup with scalable solutions.
- Location: Be an African startup.
- Registration: Have a registered business entity.
Applicants complete the Zecathon 6.0 Business Pitch Competition application form, giving details about the startup, founder profile, business solution and impact. The full eligibility criteria are on the official application page, so check them before you apply.
Focus Sectors
The competition covers startups innovating in FMCG, insurance, education, retail and e-commerce, payments and lending, cybersecurity, agriculture, healthcare, and transportation and logistics.
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Other Zecathon 6.0 Categories
Zecathon 6.0 has two other categories, which also close on October 13:
- Hackathon: For innovators and developers across Africa solving real-world banking problems with AI and other emerging technologies. The winner gets ₦35 million and second place gets ₦20 million.
- Future Innovators Challenge: A new category for senior secondary schools in Nigeria. The top three schools receive ₦5 million, ₦3 million and ₦2 million.
How to Apply
Apply for free through the official Zecathon 6.0 application link before the deadline of October 13, 2026.
Disclaimer
Edfrica shares opportunities for informational purposes only. Results and outcomes are not guaranteed.
