Category Archives: competition

ALMA ASCENT $100,000 PITCH COMPETITION 

Application Deadline: November 6, 2025 (11:59 PM PST)

LOCATION: USA

Alma Ascent believes immigration drives innovation. And we’re backing that belief not just through our immigration legal services, but with real capital to help founders succeed.

ELIGIBILITY:

The Alma Ascent is bringing together Silicon Valley’s top early-stage VCs to judge and discover the next generation of immigrant-led startups.

10 teams will be selected to pitch live and in person in Palo Alto.

 Early-stage startups that have raised less than $2M in total funding
Teams from anywhere in the world are welcome—as long as you can be in the Bay Area on November 20th for the final pitch
At least one founder must be an immigrant (born outside the U.S.)

Final Pitch Event: November 20, 2025
Location: Alma HQ, Palo Alto, CA

Application Deadline: November 6, 2025 (11:59 PM PST)

BENEFIT:

Prizes:

$60,000—First Place
$40,000—Second Place

APPLY

2025 ZENITH BANK ZECATHON 5.0 STARTUP PITCH COMPETITION AT THE ZENITH BANK TECH FAIR

Application Deadline: 31st October, 2025

LOCATION: Africa

From Lagos to the Gambia and Sierra Leone to Accra, the 2025 Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition is where bold ideas meet opportunity. Step onto the continental stage, showcase your solution, and unlock the visibility, partnerships, and resources to scale across Africa and beyond.

The 2025 Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition at the Zenith Bank Tech Fair is Africa’s stage for bold innovators shaping the future. This year, it highlights Generative AI, Agentic AI, and emerging technologies transforming industries across the continent. 

ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible for the Zenith Bank Startup Pitch Competition & Incubation Program, applicants must:

Be an early-stage African startups with a registered business entity

Operate in one or more of the listed focus sectors

Demonstrate a viable product or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with initial market traction

Present a scalable business model with clear growth potential

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your startup! Applications close on [31 October, 2025]

This competition seeks to elevate startups innovating in these critical sectors

BENEFIT:

Cash Prizes: The Top 5 startups win 70 million: ₦30 million to the 1st place, and 4 other finalists receive ₦10 million.

Investor Access and Mentorship: Connect with investors, seasoned entrepreneurs, and experts, opening doors for follow-on funding and strategic partnerships.

Strategic Resources: Intensive training in financial management, product development, branding, and market positioning for business growth.

Networking and Exposure Networking and Exposure: Engage with corporate leaders and potential partners through exclusive events and pitch sessions.

Growth Opportunities: Collaborate with industry leaders for technical support, co-development, and market entry support to drive scalability.

APPLY