The highly anticipated finale brought together key stakeholders from Nigeria's marketing technology ecosystem, startup founders, investors, technology enthusiasts, and industry leaders for an evening that celebrated innovation and problem-solving.
After weeks of intense competition, finalists stepped before a distinguished panel of judges to pitch their ideas, each hoping to secure top honours and funding support for their ventures.
Opening the event, Convener of MarkHack, Dr. Victor Olugbenga Afolabi, welcomed guests and participants, officially declaring the grand finale open while highlighting the importance of innovation-driven entrepreneurship in shaping Africa's future.
The highlight of the evening was the startup pitch session, where each team was allotted ten minutes to present its business solution before facing a rigorous question-and-answer segment. Judges evaluated the startups based on innovation, scalability, market potential, viability, and overall impact.
The panel featured some of Nigeria's leading figures in technology, innovation, and marketing, including Tunbosun Alake, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology; Zusi Inegbeniki, Founder of FounderX; Steve Babaeko, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer of X3M Ideas; and David Meganck, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of AfriMillions.
Innovative Ideas Take the Spotlight
The pitch session commenced with Movable Games, represented by Okechukwu David alongside team members Olanipekun Great, Emmanuel Kelvin, Bertin Balouki, and Ayodele David. The team unveiled a gaming-focused solution designed to address challenges within the interactive entertainment industry while enhancing user engagement and accessibility.
Next to present was Market Navigators, represented by Ogbezuode Nizor and Aitomun David. Their solution, Market Nav, drew significant attention for its potential to digitise Africa's bustling informal markets.
Explaining the concept, Nizor said the platform enables shoppers to scan QR codes strategically placed throughout marketplaces and instantly access digital navigation tools.
According to him, the technology allows users to search for specific products and receive directions to the exact location of vendors within large and often difficult-to-navigate markets.
Using Lagos' renowned Balogun Market as a practical example, the team demonstrated how the platform could transform the shopping experience, improve customer convenience, and boost visibility for traders operating within Africa's informal economy.
The presentation highlighted a growing need for technological infrastructure that supports small businesses and market operators, particularly in sectors that contribute significantly to economic activity across the continent.
Team Adminting followed with a presentation delivered by Prisca Amaefule and Joel Otimkpu. The startup is focused on unlocking opportunities within the rapidly expanding creator economy by connecting brands with micro and nano content creators through trusted communities.
Amaefule noted that brands are increasingly prioritising authentic engagement and measurable community-driven marketing outcomes, creating demand for more effective systems that facilitate collaboration between businesses and creators.
The team argued that its platform provides a trusted transaction layer capable of driving commerce and meaningful brand-consumer relationships across Africa and beyond.
Another impressive presentation came from Team Edenn, represented by Natachi Nnamaka and Louise Whyte, who showcased their innovative solution and outlined its potential impact within its target market.
As the competition intensified, Team Lena, represented by Ombeh Danny and Faruk Bilesanmi, took to the stage with a solution that would ultimately earn the judges' highest recognition.
The team introduced Lena, an adaptive educational gaming platform designed to tackle learning challenges facing millions of children across Africa.
By combining curriculum-based gameplay with personalised tutoring support, the platform seeks to make education more engaging, interactive, and accessible while improving learning outcomes.
The founders explained that the solution leverages gamification techniques to sustain student interest and enhance knowledge retention, providing an alternative approach to traditional learning methods.
The final pitch of the evening came from Team Readversity, with Israel Kehinde presenting the startup's vision and growth strategy before the judges.
Judges Applaud Courage and Innovation
Following the presentations, host Adebayo Olawatobiloba invited the judges to the stage for the much-anticipated announcement of the winners.
Before revealing the results, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake, commended all finalists for their resilience, creativity, and willingness to share their ideas publicly.
Addressing the audience, Alake praised the teams for stepping forward to present innovative solutions before a large audience, noting that such opportunities require both confidence and determination.
He stressed that every finalist had already achieved a remarkable feat by advancing to the final stage of the competition and encouraged them to continue refining their ideas regardless of the outcome.
Team Lena Emerges Champion
The awards ceremony marked the culmination of the evening's activities, with outstanding teams recognised for the quality and impact of their innovations.
Team Adminting secured the position of second runner-up, receiving a cash prize of ₦1 million alongside Amazon Web Services (AWS) credits to support the continued development and scaling of its platform.
Market Navigators emerged as first runner-up, earning ₦1.5 million in prize money as well as AWS credits, further strengthening the team's capacity to expand its digital market navigation solution.
The biggest honour of the night went to Team Lena, which was crowned the overall winner of the MarkHack 5.0 Hackathon.
In addition to securing the coveted title, the team received a grand prize of ₦2.5 million and AWS credits to accelerate the growth and deployment of its educational technology platform.
Organisers also recognised the efforts of all participating teams by awarding AWS credits to each finalist, underscoring MarkHack's commitment to nurturing innovation and supporting the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
The successful conclusion of MarkHack 5.0 once again reinforced the hackathon's growing reputation as a launchpad for promising startups and innovative ideas, providing young founders with opportunities to access funding, mentorship, industry exposure, and strategic partnerships.
As Nigeria's innovation ecosystem continues to expand, events such as MarkHack are increasingly playing a vital role in identifying and empowering solutions capable of addressing real-world challenges while driving economic growth across Africa.
