Eko Convention Centre, Lagos — November 20, 2025
Zenith Bank Celebrates Tech Excellence, Rewards Hackathon Winners with ₦140 Million at Tech Fair 5.0
Zenith Bank’s Tech Fair 5.0 reinforced its role as a major backer of Africa’s tech ecosystem. The bank awarded ₦140 million to ten startups and innovators, combining cash prizes with hands-on mentorship to help finalists scale. The event — held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos — brought together founders, investors, corporate partners and government representatives for a full day of pitches, panels and masterclasses.
Winners & Prizes — Who Took What
From a field of thousands, two grand winners emerged alongside eight other finalists who each earned significant support. The top awards were split between:
- Trust Loop — Winner of the Hackathon; ₦30 million prize. Their solution focuses on streamlined digital KYC and liveness verification for secure customer onboarding.
- Cubbes Technologies — Winner of the Startup Pitch Competition; ₦30 million prize. Cubbes is an AI-driven EdTech platform designed to close skills gaps and improve employability.
Additionally, eight other finalists — including Venille Ltd, Sowota, FLOW, InvoPay, Zenith Intelliscore, The Very Hacked Men, Konfam, and Zerax — each received ₦10 million in non-dilutive funding and access to a six-week mentorship and incubation programme running from December 2025 to February 2026.
Programming, Panels & Global Perspectives
Tech Fair 5.0 combined competition with learning. Attendees benefitted from keynote speeches and masterclasses led by industry leaders, covering cloud adoption, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and product-market fit. Panel discussions featured regional and international voices debating the future of fintech, the role of AI in education, and how African startups can scale globally.
Leadership Voices: Investment Meets Intention
Zenith Bank’s leadership used the platform to make a broader point: banking alone won’t drive the next wave of innovation — deliberate, sustained investment in talent will. The bank’s executives highlighted the importance of pairing capital with mentorship so early-stage teams can build resilient businesses that solve local problems.
Why This Matters
Large corporate-sponsored tech events are valuable because they do more than distribute prize money — they create networks, shine a spotlight on promising solutions, and bring supply-chain partners and pilot opportunities within reach. For winners like Trust Loop and Cubbes Technologies, the ₦30 million prizes are a runway — but the mentorship and exposure may be the greater long-term asset.
Key Takeaways for Founders
- Think beyond seed capital: Connect with partners who offer pilots and distribution channels.
- Prioritize product-market fit: Exposure to corporates and regulators helps refine market assumptions.
- Leverage mentorship: Structured incubation can accelerate hiring, go-to-market and regulatory pathways.
Final Thoughts
Zenith Bank’s Tech Fair 5.0 is another reminder that Africa’s tech momentum depends on ecosystems — investors, banks, accelerators and government — that work together. Events that combine prize money, mentorship and strategic partnerships increase the odds that promising ideas turn into sustainable businesses. For CredReviews.space readers watching the space, the message is clear: the next breakout startup could come from any of these small teams — and events like Tech Fair 5.0 help make that possible.
Disclosure: This article was written for CredReviews.space based on public event coverage and press releases.