Wema Bank has successfully concluded the 5th edition of its Hackaholics initiative, awarding N145 million to seven outstanding startups in recognition of their groundbreaking solutions to real-world challenges. The grand finale in Lagos showcased innovations spanning sectors like education, agriculture, and healthcare, with over 3,500 applications received across Nigeria. Notable winners included Feegor, which secured the top prize of N50 million for its B2B marketplace and SaaS platform enabling SMEs to access credit and negotiate with suppliers effectively.
Empayment AI earned N35 million for revolutionizing payment management through its AI-driven invoice discounting platform, while Bloom Beauty received N20 million for personalized beauty solutions powered by artificial intelligence. The women-led category spotlighted MyTherapist, a mental health therapy platform awarded N12 million, and MyItura, a provider of remote healthcare services, which received N8 million. Honorable mentions included Northino for digital skills training and University X for its education management platform, both earning N10 million each.
Wema Bank’s CEO, Moruf Oseni, emphasized the initiative’s role in fostering youth talent and driving societal transformation. Originally set at N75 million, the prize pool was nearly doubled to reflect the potential of the participants. Feegor’s CEO, Ugonna Ginigeme, expressed gratitude for the recognition and vowed to continue building solutions that empower SMEs and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth. Hackaholics 5.0 highlights Wema Bank’s commitment to innovation and its vision of nurturing a generation of problem-solvers shaping the nation’s future.
