MarkHack is Nigeria’s first-ever marketing and media conference, designed as a collaborative gathering of innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, media practitioners, and marketing professionals.

This dynamic event aims to create impactful solutions to real-life challenges in the marketing and media sectors within two months.

This year, MarkHack 4.0 is offering an impressive $10,000 prize pool. Within this pool, startups will compete for cash prizes, AWS credits, cutting-edge laptops, and exclusive perks from top tech partners.

Participants will have the unique opportunity to present their MVPs before a panel of leading investors and industry decision-makers. Such exposure can lead to critical funding, partnerships, and mentorship which is very important for a startup’s success.

This application is exclusively open to startups, providing them with a unique opportunity to showcase their Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) that possess the potential to transform their respective sectors. By participating in MarkHack 4.0, startups stand to gain invaluable exposure, access to industry leaders, and a chance to secure funding that can propel them into the next phase of growth.

This year’s theme, “Experience Ignited: Fueling the Consumer Journey,” promises to explore the transformative power of technology in reshaping how brands connect with consumers.

MarkHack 4.0 will feature exhibitions that highlight the latest innovations and provide invaluable networking opportunities, bringing together thought leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs from across the industry.

MarkHack 4.0 redefines how startups innovate and scale by offering a comprehensive platform that integrates immersive education, strategic pitching, and the thrilling dynamics of a hackathon—all crafted to drive real-world impact in the fields of media, marketing, and technology.

Participants can look forward to a stellar lineup of sponsors, jurors, and speakers, including visionary leaders in media, marketing, and technology, as well as renowned tech entrepreneurs who are shaping the digital landscape and key industry players providing expert insights into the future of marketing.

Startups that wish to participate in the competition must go through an application process leading up to the grand finale.

Startups that apply will have the opportunity to pitch during the virtual session taking place from May 7th to 11th, 2025. Also mentors will be available from April 23rd to May 14th to provide guidance and support throughout the process.

The workflow will involve submitting an application via the designated platform, where each startup’s MVP will be evaluated based on its innovation, scalability, and market relevance.

Once the initial selection is made, the shortlisted startups will prepare for pitches that will showcase the unique value propositions of their products.

The grand finale will take place on Friday, May 23rd, 2025, at 9:00 AM WAT at the Landmark Event Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. It promises to be a day filled with innovation, networking, and the potential for transformative business growth.

MarkHack 4.0 also prioritizes the growth and development of participating startups. Through hands-on mentorship and strategy sessions, participants will receive guidance from experts who are deeply entrenched in the world of innovation.

This kind of support ensures that each startup is positioned to thrive within the competitive landscape of their industry.

Furthermore, participants will have access to incubator programs and high-impact workshops designed to refine their business strategies and scale their operations effectively.

The networking opportunities at MarkHack 4.0 are unparalleled, allowing founders to connect with visionary leaders, tech innovators, and like-minded disruptors who share a passion for transforming industries.

The future of your startup starts here at MarkHack 4.0. If your MVP is ready to make a significant impact, this is the moment to shine. Don’t miss the chance to showcase your startup, pitch to top investors, and compete for a share of the $10,000 prize pool.

• Application Deadline: March 29th, 2025
• Apply now at the link here

Join the team at MarkHack 4.0, where innovation meets opportunity, and take the first step towards transforming your startup’s future!

The initiative, led by Senator Tokunbo Abiru and his wife, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, aims to provide in-demand tech skills to motivated youths in the senatorial district.

During his keynote address, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed gratitude to the Abiru family for continuing the legacy of their late patriarch, Senator (Honourable Justice) Mubasheer Akanbi Abiru.

He also commended the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in scaling up the impact of initiatives like the SAIL Innovation Lab.

The Governor emphasized his administration’s commitment to ensuring that Lagos State remains at the forefront of the tech space in Nigeria and the continent.

Dr. Bosun Tijani, Co-founder of Co-Creation Hub and a Trustee of SAIL Foundation, expressed confidence in the lab’s success and emphasized the importance of engaging and empowering young people to drive innovation and growth.

Microsoft Country Manager, Ms. Ola Williams, expressed admiration for Senator Abiru’s dedication to young people and affirmed Microsoft’s willingness to collaborate with SAIL for greater impact.

The SAIL Innovation Lab, established in 2021 in partnership with Co-Creation Hub, has already benefited over 490 participants through in-person programs and over 2,000 participants through online programs. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and is managed entirely by Co-Creation Hub and highly-trained facilitators.

Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, Co-founder of the innovation lab, highlighted its uniqueness as the first of its kind in the Lagos East Senatorial District and encouraged attendees to appreciate the historical significance of their involvement.

The current programs offered by the SAIL Innovation Lab include the Tech Talent Development Program, STEM for Senior Secondary School Students, Lagos East Teachers Fellowship, Start-Up Accelerator, and Community Events and Ecosystem Engagements.

Senator Abiru spoke about the vision behind the SAIL Innovation Lab, stating that the project aimed to provide a platform for the ingenious youth in the district and deepen the acceptance of tech innovation using a human-centered approach.

He emphasized the importance of tech skills in the modern world and the need to equip young people with the new language of the world.

The permanent location of the SAIL Innovation Lab was made possible through the support of the Abiru family, who dedicated their family home for this purpose, continuing the legacy of their late patriarch, Senator (Honourable Justice) Mubasheeru Akanbi Abiru, a distinguished jurist

GITEX Africa maiden edition of technology exhibitions in the region, brings together industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to discuss and showcase advancements in technology.

The event provides an ideal platform for organisations to promote dialogue, showcase innovative solutions, and forge partnerships to harness the potential of the digital age.

NITDA’s participation focuses on fostering collaborations, sharing best practices, and addressing the challenges hindering Africa’s digital growth.

Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of NITDA, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, participated at the two Panel Sessions themed: “Accelerating Digital Transformation in Africa: Strategies, Challenges and Opportunities” and “Fast Tracking to an Integrated and Inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure.”

In his presentations, Dr. Onumo discussed the role of technology in driving economic growth, job creation, and digital economy development on the continent.

He highlighted the need for African countries to invest in digital infrastructure, skills development, and policy reforms in order to reap the full benefits of digital transformation.

Onumo also stressed the importance of collaboration between governments, academia, industry, venture capitalist, and the tech community in order to accelerate digital transformation in Africa.

He called on African countries to work together to develop common standards and regulations for the digital economy, and to promote the adoption of digital technologies across all sectors of the economy. 

He further alluded to the progress made through African Free Trade Agreement and African Smart Alliance and called for a sustained effort towards a common digital identity for Africa.

He also highlighted the challenges that Africa faces in terms of digital transformation, noting that one of the biggest challenges are the lack of adequate infrastructure, digital skills as well as digital inclusion, and pointed out that there is a need for more investments in human capital development.

Despite these challenges, Onumo said that Africa as a continent has the potential to become a major player in the global digital economy. He called on all stakeholders to work together to overcome the challenges and to seize the opportunities that digital transformation presents.

He shared NITDA’s insights and expertise on digital transformation, especially the development of National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), and NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021-2024).

He stated that,

“Technology is a key driver of economic growth and job creation in Africa. We need to invest in digital infrastructure and develop our own digital strategies in order to fully reap the benefits of the digital revolution.”

“Public-private partnerships are essential for driving digital transformation in Africa. We need to work together to create a more inclusive and sustainable digital future for the continent,” he added.

He reiterated that NITDA is committed to supporting the digital transformation of Nigeria and Africa, adding that, the agency is working with governments, private sector, and the tech community to develop and implement policies, programmes, and initiatives that will accelerate digital transformation on the continent. 

“An example of such collaboration is in the development of the Nigeria Startup Act which the ecosystem regards as the game changer that will further catalyse the industry and make Nigeria a global startup destination”, he further stated

The panel sessions were made up of experts  and representatives from governments, businesses, and the tech community from across Africa. The discussions were lively and productive, and there was a clear consensus among the participants that digital transformation is essential for Africa’s economic development.

Africa-Korea Agtech Innovation Challenge is supported by the Korea World Bank Partnership Facility (KWPF) and the Korean Green Growth Trust Fund (KGGTF), with partnership from Plug and Play Tech Center. 

Fifteen finalists, who will pitch their solutions at the Africa-Korea Agtech Innovation Summit in Nairobi, Kenya in February 2023, will be selected from the online application process. 

The goal is to scale digital and non-digital innovations that enable the sustainability of smallholder farmers, helping them overcome current constraints, improve their yields, incomes, nutritional status, and climate resilience.  

These technologies range from mobile apps to digital identities for farmers, solar applications for agriculture, portable agriculture devices, and bio-fortified foods. DATs empower farmers by either (i) accelerating agri-food outcomes by multiple folds (3-5x) and/or by (ii) circumventing the conventions of the value chain to achieve the same/better results — but with a more efficient agri-food outcome.

Benefits

The finalists will be showcased to key government officials from Kenya, Uganda and South Korea, World Bank stakeholders, prominent accelerators and venture capital firms (VCs). 

They will also receive networking and learning opportunities, as well as field trips to some of Kenya’s agri-innovation sites. 

The winning solutions will also potentially have an opportunity to join the One Million Farmers Platform in Kenya.

Eligibility 

Innovators whose solutions are addressing one of these three themes can apply:

1. Improving agricultural productivity and efficiency
2. Improving market access and providing downstream and upstream linkages
3. Financial inclusion of farmers

How to apply

Apply for the Africa-Korea Agtech Innovation Challenge to attain global acceleration. Applications close on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. 

Individuals with creative ideas, projects, and business solutions to the problems that matter most to their communities, as well as ideas at any stage and from anywhere in the world can participate.

The Global Innovation Challenge 2022 is open to ideas that will contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and have special awards for ideas that will help solve problems relating to health equity, the refugee crisis, and climate emergency.

Benefits

• Unlock Your Potential

• • Develop your skills, confidence, and future prospects with help from skilled mentors and as part of a supportive global community.

• Accelerate Your Big Idea

• • Get FREE access to a world-leading Digital Incubator program to help develop your project or business idea.

• Make an Impact

• • Compete for awards of up to $10,000 to deliver activities that improve lives, help communities, and protect the planet.

Eligibility 

The program is open to individuals who meet the following criteria: 

• Between the ages of 18 to 30.
• Applicants can be from any country.
• Your idea must contribute towards at least one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

All eligible entrants will get free access to the organizer’s Digital Incubator program, including e-learning, live events, peer support, and the opportunity to access expert mentors from the world’s leading companies.

How to apply

Apply for the Global Innovation Challenge 2022 before the deadline on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.