Innovation, entrepreneurship, and business excellence took centre stage in Lagos as education technology startup Schooled Afrika emerged as the overall winner of the Bet9ja Foundation ScaleUp Business Pitch Night 2.0, securing a grand prize of N10 million to support the next phase of its growth.
The victory marked the climax of the foundation's 10-week ScaleUp Business Accelerator 2.0, a programme created to equip promising Nigerian startups with the funding, mentorship, and strategic support needed to build sustainable businesses capable of making lasting economic impact.
Founder of Schooled Afrika, Bukola Aleriwa, received the top prize after impressing judges with the startup's business model and growth potential during the highly anticipated pitch competition.
In total, the Bet9ja Foundation awarded N40 million in equity-free grants to 10 finalists representing diverse sectors, including Education Technology (EdTech), HealthTech, FinTech, Sports Technology, AgriFinTech, Artificial Intelligence, LegalTech, and Cross-Border Trade.
One of the highlights of the evening came when the Executive Director of Bet9ja Foundation, Ada Cuomo, announced an unexpected increase in the grand prize, doubling it from the initially proposed N5 million to N10 million.
The announcement underscored the foundation's commitment to strengthening Nigeria's entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing greater financial backing for businesses with strong growth prospects.
At the end of the competition, BUZZA, founded by Taofeeq Lawal, emerged as the first runner-up, while Digitaley Drive, led by Ruby Ihekweme, finished as the second runner-up.
The Pitch Night concluded the second edition of the ScaleUp Business Accelerator, which attracted more than 500 applications from entrepreneurs across Nigeria. Following a rigorous selection process, 10 founders were admitted into the programme, where they underwent intensive business strategy sessions, mentorship, expert advisory support, and practical masterclasses designed to improve their competitiveness and scalability.
Speaking during the event, Ada Cuomo explained that the initiative goes beyond offering financial support to entrepreneurs.
"ScaleUp is about more than providing grants. It is about creating the conditions for Nigerian entrepreneurs to build stronger and more sustainable businesses," Cuomo said. "We want these founders to leave the programme with the confidence, knowledge, and networks to take their businesses further."
 |
| L-R: The Executive Director, Lagos Angel Network, Solomon King; Regional Manager, West Africa at the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA), Chinedu Allison, Founder of Schooled Afrika and winner of ScaleUp Business Accelerator 2.0, Bukola Aleriwa; CFO, Axxela, Yetunde Demerun; Head of Inspection, Bet9ja, Akinwumi Akerele and Ugochukwu Nwosu, Head of Programmes and Grants, Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation (ACT Foundation). | Credit: Schooled Afrika. |
"ScaleUp embodies our vision by equipping entrepreneurs with more than funding; it gives them access to mentorship, practical business knowledge, and a network that can accelerate their journey," Oronti noted.
The finalists were evaluated by a panel of respected industry professionals, including Chinedu Allison of the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance, Executive Director of the Lagos Angel Network Solomon King, Head of Programmes and Grants at ACT Foundation Ugochukwu Nwosu, Head of Inspection at Bet9ja Akinwumi Akerele, and Chief Financial Officer at Axxela Yetunde Demerun.
Supported by strategic partners such as Paystack, the ScaleUp Business Accelerator continues to expand its impact on Nigeria's startup ecosystem. The initiative builds on the success of its maiden edition, which was won by Martech Stores Limited, reinforcing the Bet9ja Foundation's commitment to nurturing innovative businesses and empowering entrepreneurs to scale their ventures sustainably.