Nigerian startups building solutions for healthcare, education, logistics, artificial intelligence, fintech and other sectors can apply to the Builders Festival ’26, an initiative designed to connect technology companies with institutions seeking solutions to real operational problems.
Powered by Tech Revolution Africa in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the programme will match eligible startups with government agencies and corporate organisations that have identified specific technology needs. Selected startups will have the opportunity to pitch their products, enter deal-room discussions and pursue pilot contracts, investment or both.
Unlike programmes focused primarily on early ideas, the Builders Festival is seeking Nigerian-registered startups with products that have already reached at least the minimum stage of market deployment.
According to the programme’s official website, applicants must have at least one live user, active pilot or paying client. The organisers are also evaluating startups based on market traction, team resilience and product maturity.
This means startups are expected to demonstrate a working solution rather than submit an idea that is still at the research or concept stage. The programme also states that a small team with a live product can apply, provided the solution addresses a defined institutional need.
Startups can access a ₦3 billion opportunity pipeline
The Builders Festival promotes a target investment and contract pipeline valued at ₦3 billion. The opportunity includes potential venture capital, angel investment, government innovation support and pilot contracts.
However, the funding is presented as an opportunity pipeline rather than a guaranteed cash prize for every selected startup. Participants may pursue different forms of support depending on their product, institutional match and discussions in the deal room.
The programme’s process involves application, assessment, matching with relevant institutions and live discussions at the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE) 2026 in Abuja. Matched startups may negotiate pilot agreements or memoranda of understanding with potential partners.
Institutional problems include healthcare, fintech and deep tech
The programme has published several anonymised challenges submitted by Nigerian institutions. These include digital civil registration, vaccine supply chain monitoring, patient identity management, cross-border payment systems and SME finance.
Other identified needs cover satellite infrastructure, broadband capacity, customs risk profiling, cargo monitoring, library management and digital compliance dashboards.
For example, one healthcare-related challenge seeks a system that can track medicine availability and identify stockouts through integrations with healthcare facility and pharmacy APIs. Another fintech challenge focuses on combining banking and alternative data, including point-of-sale and invoicing information, to improve financial profiles for small and medium-sized businesses.
Applications Deadlines
Startups interested in participating must submit their applications through the official Builders Festival website. The application form requests information about the company, founders, technical leads, product stage, active users, solution type, pitch deck and current or previous pilot partners.
Applicants must also indicate whether they are seeking equity investment, pilot contracts or both. The organisers state that shortlisted startups will be matched with institutions whose challenges align with their products.
Applications are scheduled to close on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The Builders Festival will culminate in live deal-room sessions during DNICE 2026, scheduled for November 10–12, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja. For startups with existing products, the programme offers an opportunity to present their solutions directly to potential institutional users, investors and partners rather than relying solely on traditional outreach.