Wema Bank Hackaholics 7.0

The Wema Bank Hackaholics 7.0 (themed "Powering Possibilities") is Wema Bank’s flagship open innovation platform and pitch competition. As one of Africa’s premier corporate-backed youth innovation initiatives, it connects African tech founders, engineers, designers, and social innovators directly with capital, bank infrastructure, and ecosystem growth tools.

Hackaholics serves as a multi-stage funnel designed to move projects from hackathon concepts into scalable, market-ready businesses.

• Up to ₦200 Million in Non-Dilutive Funding: Top-performing teams across the tracks win equity-free cash prizes and equity-free innovation grants from the total prize pool.

• Direct Banking & API Integration: Exceptional solutions—particularly in fintech, digital infrastructure, and consumer tools—gain opportunities to integrate into Wema Bank’s core product suit (including ALAT, Nigeria's pioneer digital bank) and partner channels.

• Post-Competition Accelerator: High-potential finalists transition into the Hackaholics Accelerator / IDEAx Labs program for structured venture building, enterprise readiness, and seed-stage corporate capital support.

• Expert Mentorship & Visibility: Direct guidance from corporate executives, tech leads, and venture investors, along with high-visibility pitching at the Grand Finale.

Applicants can enter through one of three distinct participation channels:

1. Startup Pitch Competition: Tailored for early-stage startups with an existing product or validated MVP looking for growth capital, corporate integration, and strategic market expansion.

2. Hackathon Track: Designed for developers, engineers, and UX designers who build functional software prototypes or technical solutions at speed to solve designated industry problems.

3. Social Impact Track: Focused on changemakers, non-profits, and impact entrepreneurs building tech-enabled solutions for community, environmental, and civic issues.

Solutions submitted across the three tracks must address at least one of the core vertical focus areas:

• Financial Inclusion & Fintech

• Digital Transformation & Enterprise Tools

• Healthcare & HealthTech

• Sustainability & Green Energy

• Education & Future of Work

• Social Impact & Community Resilience

• Target Audience: Open to early-stage founders, software engineers, designers, students, and social innovators.

• Geographic Focus: Open to innovators operating across Africa (with primary regional pitch hubs across Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya).

• Participation Mode: Candidates may apply either as individuals or as teams/registered startups.

• No Technical Degree Mandate: Formal technical degrees are not required, provided the team demonstrates a working prototype, clear logic, or execution capability.