Nigeria’s Rising Stars: Top Startups Shine at iHatch Demo Day as Innovation Takes Centre Stage Nationwide

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Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem received a major boost today as the iHatch National Demo Day (4th Cohort) showcased some of the country’s most promising startups before a high-powered audience of investors, policymakers, and tech hub leaders. The event marked the grand finale of months of rigorous selections, state-level competitions, and regional eliminations across the country.

A flagship initiative jointly implemented by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), iHatch was created in 2021 to nurture young Nigerian innovators and provide the support they need to build scalable, high-impact technological solutions.

The programme aligns strongly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises digital transformation and economic diversification through homegrown talent.

At today’s national showcase, the top founders pitched cutting-edge solutions addressing challenges in energy, education, logistics, finance, and food distribution. Their groundbreaking ideas earned them recognition and prizes, underscoring Nigeria’s growing reputation as a hub for emerging tech talent.

The standout innovators at the iHatch National Demo Day include:

1. Interface Africa — $15,000 Prize
Championing Nigeria’s clean energy transition with a platform enabling structured, affordable solar financing for households and businesses.

2. Ahioma — $12,000 Prize
Improving food access by connecting consumers directly to verified vendors through an efficient digital marketplace.

3. Linia Finance — $10,000 Prize
Empowering Nigerians with digital tools for budgeting, financial tracking, and smart money management.

4. Chapta — Laptop Reward
Delivering an offline-capable school application that ensures continuous learning for students even with limited internet access.

5. Softdrop — Laptop Reward
Offering a modern logistics platform that enhances delivery speed, convenience, and operational efficiency.

Organisers noted that this year’s Demo Day highlights the depth of innovation emerging from Nigeria’s vibrant startup landscape — from urban tech hubs to grassroots communities across the nation. The event reaffirms the country’s momentum in building a globally competitive digital economy powered by young innovators.

With each cohort, iHatch continues to serve as a launchpad for new ventures, ensuring that Nigeria’s brightest minds have the tools, mentorship, and funding opportunities needed to scale their ideas and contribute meaningfully to national development.