Young entrepreneurs took centre stage at The Gathering on 100 in Kano as the popular Pitchathon concluded after a three hour competition on Saturday, July 11, at the Meena Event Centre. Innovator Samiat Damilola Yusuf emerged as the overall winner after competing against 10 startups for a total prize pool of ₦5 million.
The competition showcased innovative business solutions from young founders across technology, fashion, education and the creative economy. This reinforced the growing role of entrepreneurship in solving local challenges and creating economic opportunities.
Over the course of the competition, these 10 founders pitched solutions designed to address everyday problems, with entries assessed on innovation, scalability, market viability and potential impact.
The Pitchathon provided participants with an opportunity to present their businesses before a panel of judges while gaining visibility, feedback and access to valuable networks.
At the end of the competition, Samiat Damilola Yusuf secured the first-place prize of ₦2.5 million for Aplikant, a technology AI powered platform designed to manage applications, track participants, take attendance, and generate impact reports.
Amina Jummai Mayaki, creative director of Vogues by Maj, claimed the second-place prize of ₦1.5 million for her fashion brand, while Abdullahi Muhammed Jamil received ₦1 million for Roomie, an application that helps university students find compatible roommates, addressing a common challenge faced by undergraduates across Nigeria.
The quality and diversity of the ideas reflected the growing confidence of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem. According to the 2024/2025 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Global Report, entrepreneurial activity continues to be a major driver of innovation, employment and economic resilience across emerging economies, with young founders playing an increasingly important role in building scalable businesses.
Reflecting on the competition, Abu-Sufyan Aliyu, senior manager, Sales, North-East Region, MTN Nigeria, said:
“The Gathering on 100 Pitchathon brings young people together with mentors, collaborators, business partners and opportunities that can help move their ideas forward. Beyond the grants, we want every participant to leave with new knowledge, stronger networks and the confidence to keep building. That’s what it truly means to Live It 100.”
The Kano edition attracted more than 500 Pitchathon applications, reinforcing the competition’s growing reputation as a launchpad for young entrepreneurs.
Following the success of previous editions in Lagos, Aba and Enugu, where winning startups received a combined ₦55 million in seed funding, the initiative continues to connect promising founders with the resources and support needed to scale their ideas.
