Hubpharm Africa has emerged as the overall winner of the 2026 The Gathering on 100 Pitchathon held at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos and receives ₦15 million in MTN enterprise partnership and co-development support.
Backed by MTN Nigeria, the multi-day festival was designed as a celebration of creativity. Out of 30 participants, only a select group advanced through intense scrutiny to emerge as winners.
At the centre of this transformation was the pitchathon, a segment that turned the event from a festival into a proving ground.
Founders stepped forward not just to present ideas, but to defend them. Products were demonstrated in real time. Assumptions were challenged instantly. And projections, often bold were carefully dissected.
But the excitement quickly gave way to harder questions. Judges pushed for clarity on traction, technical depth, and scalability. With only a pilot merchant on board, the gap between the product’s promise and its current adoption became a focal point of discussion. It was a pattern that repeated across several pitches, strong ideas confronted by the realities of execution.
Yet, not all founders were at the same stage. Some came with clearer evidence of market validation. A booking platform, Kindlybook, targeting beauty and wellness businesses demonstrated how automating appointments and payments could address inefficiencies that many small businesses currently face using messaging apps.
Another startup, Ravasane, tackling cross-border payments outlined its ambition to reduce transaction costs across African markets, while facing probing questions about infrastructure risks and regulatory exposure.
Artificial intelligence also featured prominently. One solution, Uri Social introduced an AI-powered assistant designed to manage social media for small businesses, reflecting the growing demand for affordable digital tools in an increasingly online economy.
Beyond technology, other founders focused on tangible sectors of the economy. A food processing startup, Dose Jamz showcased how locally sourced fruits could be transformed into consumer products, addressing both food waste and value creation.
In fashion, another solution explored how immersive technologies like virtual try-ons and body scanning could improve online shopping experiences and reduce returns.
Across all presentations, a consistent theme emerged: Nigerian founders are building solutions rooted in everyday challenges.
Speaking during the event, Omotayo Ojutalayo, General Manager, Enterprise Business, MTN, emphasized the importance of backing solutions that emerge from local realities.
“There’s a lot of talent in Nigeria, and the solutions we have seen here are solving problems we experience ourselves. When solutions are homegrown, they are more effective.”
She added that the ripple effect of supporting startups extends beyond individual businesses. “If each SME employs even a few people, that creates jobs and drives growth across the economy.”
For participants, the experience went beyond competition.
Sesan Kareem, founder of Hubpharm Africa, highlighted the broader impact of the platform after securing support.
According to him:
“This means we now have the capital to scale our operations, reach more patients, and create jobs. Beyond the funding, the feedback from judges has been invaluable, it is a real learning experience.”
Hubpharm Africa focuses on improving access to specialized medications for patients with chronic conditions, underscoring how startups are stepping into critical gaps within the healthcare system.
In total, ₦45 million was awarded across eight winners. Other beneficiaries included Uri Social (₦3 million), Dulces Jamz (₦3 million), Kindlybook (₦3 million), Africa Medical Marketplace (₦3 million), MyFund (₦3 million), and RavaSend, which received ₦5 million as third runner-up, represented by Emmanuel Isaka. Coconoto Ltd, led by Jacob Oluwayannife, emerged as second runner-up, securing ₦10 million.
