Enugu State has launched what officials describe as a structured accelerator programme aimed at transforming campus innovation into investable ventures, following the successful hosting of the maiden Enugu Campus Hackathon.
Organisers said the event was more than a competition, but the foundation of a long-term strategy to institutionalise an investment-ready startup pipeline across the state’s universities.
“This is a disciplined founder development and capital deployment platform, built to identify, formalise, accelerate, and fund high-potential startups emerging from our universities,” the organisers stated.
The initiative is being driven under the administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah as part of the state’s broader economic transformation agenda.
The Winning Startups
At the end of the competition, four standout teams emerged, securing funding and incubation support at the Genesys Tech Hub.
1st Place – Growdex
Growdex, an AI-powered ad automation platform, won the top prize. The startup enables creators and businesses to launch, manage and optimise multi-channel digital campaigns from a unified dashboard.
Award: $5,000 investment grant plus six months incubation support with Genesys Tech Hub, valued at over $10,000.
2nd Place – ZaddyExpress (Team High Flyer)
ZaddyExpress, a tech-enabled logistics and on-demand delivery platform providing last-mile solutions, clinched second place.
Award: $3,500 investment grant plus six months incubation support.
3rd Place – Linia Finance
Linia Finance, a fintech platform offering accessible, data-driven credit and financial management tools for MSMEs and underserved individuals, secured third position.
Award: $2,500 investment grant plus six months incubation support.
DeepTech Winner – ANBU GynaeCare
In partnership with the African DeepTech Foundation, ANBU GynaeCare emerged as the DeepTech category winner. The health-tech startup is developing biodegradable sanitary pads made from banana fibers to tackle period poverty while reducing plastic waste through sustainable innovation.
Award: $2,500 investment grant plus six months incubation support valued at over $10,000.
Beyond Events: Building Venture Infrastructure
According to the organisers, the hackathon signals a shift from one-off innovation events to a structured venture-building ecosystem.
“Through the Enugu MSME & Startup Agency, we are not organising events. We are building venture infrastructure. We are accelerating founders. We are deploying capital with discipline,” the statement added.
The state government says the programme aligns with its broader vision of transitioning Enugu from a $4.4 billion economy to a $30 billion productivity-led economy anchored on technology, human capital development and structured capital deployment.
Investors, partners, development agencies and ecosystem leaders interested in engaging with the startups have been invited to connect with the organisers through the official communication channels of the Enugu Campus Hackathon.
With the accelerator framework now in motion, Enugu is positioning itself as a growing hub for technology-driven enterprise and youth-led innovation in Nigeria’s South-East.
