Eight startups have been awarded a total of ₦45 million after a pitch session at the recently concluded “Gathering on 100,” a youth-focused event powered by MTN in Lagos.
The Gathering is a youth-driven community and cultural movement which brought young Nigerians together to create, connect, and showcase their individuality. The flagship live experience of The Gathering community, this 100-hour non-stop event was held at the National Stadium from April 22 to 26, 2026.
It brought together thousands of young Nigerians in a massive convergence of music, sports, gaming, and creative sessions. It features activities across entrepreneurship, innovation, fashion, and lifestyle, including networking, a pitchathon, gaming, movie screenings, tattooing, fashion showcases, and live parties.
From watching the sunrise for four consecutive mornings to actively shaping culture in real-time, attendees experienced a shared journey rooted in endurance and expression.
A focal point of the event was the high-stakes Pitchathon segment, which provided a structured arena for startups to showcase working products. According to the organisers, the Pitchathon is part of a broader industry showcase where emerging technology startups are given a platform to share their ideas and gain support.
At the end of the pitch contest, Hurpham Africa, led by Sesan Kareem, emerged as the overall winner. The startup won a ₦15 million cash prize, alongside an enterprise partnership and co-development access from the event sponsor, MTN Nigeria.
Coconoto Ltd, founded by Jacob Oluwayannife, came second and won a ₦10 million cash prize. Rava Send, represented by Emmanuel Isaka, came third and won a ₦5 million cash prize.
Other startups that shone at The Gathering on 100 Pitchaton
Five other startups won ₦3 million cash prizes in recognition of their innovative solutions and growth potential. They include URI Social, Dulces Jams, Kindly Book, Africa Medical Marketplace, and MyFund.
The 8 outstanding startups were selected from 30 participants spanning sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, FinTech, HealthTech, EdTech, Internet of Things (IoT), AgriTech, DefenceTech, and CreativeTech.
Among the presenters was a fintech platform led by Charles Dairo, which seeks to simplify cross-border transactions. According to Dairo, the platform has recorded more than 10,000 user registrations, with about 30 per cent actively transacting.
The platform operates a 0.5 per cent transaction fee model and leverages strategic banking partnerships to ensure liquidity. It also integrates stablecoins such as USD Coin to enhance cross-border payment efficiency and expand interoperability across mobile money ecosystems.
Another is Jakuta, a startup that demonstrated how artificial intelligence can simplify purchasing decisions and improve operational efficiency. The platform combines voice technology with mobile messaging tools such as WhatsApp to guide users through transactions, while also enabling device trade-ins through automated video analysis.
According to the founders, the system currently supports operations in about 20 countries and is capable of handling high volumes of daily interactions, including automated customer engagement processes.
Observers and judges at the event remarked that the startups in attendance reflect a growing interest in solving prevailing challenges such as exchange rate volatility, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory complexities across African markets.
They also noted that the startups are increasingly prioritising customer lifetime value, reinvesting revenues into marketing, user acquisition, and product optimisation to build resilient and scalable business models.
As the event closed, MTN reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the platform, ensuring that The Gathering on 100 will continue to evolve as a vital space for both cultural expression and youth-led economic opportunity.
Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, explains the enthusiasm:
“The ideas and partnerships formed over these 100 hours show exactly what happens when corporate Nigeria is finally listening to young Nigerians. We recognise that traditional business engagement doesn’t always work for this generation, which is why we empowered the youth to lead.”
Notably, she explained that operating under a partnership model rather than a traditional corporate sponsorship, MTN stepped back to let the youth lead. This, in turn, allowed an organic expression that may yield branding benefits subsequently.
“By supporting The Gathering, we are not just celebrating culture; we are fueling the young Nigerian through youth-led innovation and actively investing in their economic potential”, she concluded.
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