Wema Bank has unveiled the top 21 finalists for the seventh edition of its Hackaholics innovation competition, following a nationwide selection process that attracted 5,329 participants and generated 1,632 innovative ideas and solutions across seven pitch centres.
The finalists will compete at the Hackaholics 7.0 grand finale scheduled for tomorrow, November 6, in Lagos, where outstanding innovators will be recognised for developing technology-driven solutions to real-world challenges.
Themed Festival of the Future, the event will bring together innovators, technology leaders, startup founders, investors and other key players in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem to celebrate creativity, entrepreneurship and emerging technologies shaping the future of business and society.
The 21 finalists are Dynalimb, Harthiq, Acceede, Vhorde, URI, Trarrk, SocialSign, RaverPay, All-Arbitrates, CitizensGage, Craft-Planet, FOID, PayByPalm, Niteonn, Nexa-AI, Neural-Forge, MamaAlert, JolliFlow, Becca, CropiQ and Middleman.
Hackaholics, Wema Bank’s youth and startup-focused innovation initiative, was established to provide young entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts with a platform to transform creative ideas into practical solutions, address pressing societal challenges and strengthen their competitiveness in the global technology and digital economy.
Since its launch in 2019, the programme has recorded more than 21,000 applicants, engaged over 50,000 participants, supported more than 10,000 startups across three countries and facilitated the development of over 100 solutions from inception.
The seventh edition, which commenced on July 1, featured a nationwide innovation tour covering Uyo, Kano, Yaba College of Technology, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu and Lagos, providing opportunities for young innovators from different parts of the country to present their ideas and demonstrate the potential of their solutions.
At the conclusion of the nationwide tour, 59 participants emerged from the various pitch centres, after which a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process produced the final 21 contestants who will compete for recognition at the Lagos event.
The selection process was designed to identify promising innovations with the potential to address practical challenges, create economic opportunities and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s expanding technology ecosystem.
According to the bank, the Hackaholics 7.0 grand finale week will feature a three-day programme of strategic engagements and innovation-focused activities aimed at preparing the finalists for the concluding competition while exposing them to opportunities within the wider technology industry.
Among the activities is the Pre-Pitch session, during which the finalists will present refined versions of their solutions, demonstrating improvements made to their ideas as they prepare for the final stage of the competition.
The programme will also feature an Ecosystem Tour powered by Wema Bank, offering participants opportunities to visit leading institutions within the technology and innovation ecosystem, interact with industry professionals and gain practical insights into the operations and demands of technology-driven businesses.
The engagements are expected to provide the finalists with exposure to industry practices, professional networks and the wider opportunities available for developing their innovations beyond the competition.
The three-day programme will culminate in tomorrow’s grand finale in Lagos, where outstanding innovators will be recognised and celebrated for their contributions to technological innovation.
Through Hackaholics, Wema Bank has continued to strengthen its support for Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem by identifying emerging talent, encouraging entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for young people to develop technology-driven solutions to challenges confronting individuals, businesses and communities.
The initiative also forms part of the bank’s broader commitment to supporting the next generation of innovators and fostering an environment in which creative ideas can be developed into practical solutions capable of contributing to economic growth and technological advancement.
Wema Bank maintained that Hackaholics remained a platform for nurturing innovative talent, connecting young entrepreneurs with opportunities and strengthening an ecosystem where ideas could thrive and possibilities become reality.
