The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has announced the winners of the fourth edition of the NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI 4.0), its flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme supporting high-potential Nigerian startups developing solutions to critical economic and social challenges.
The announcement followed the NPI 4.0 Demo Day with the theme “Building for Impact”, during which 12 finalists, selected from 6,000 applications, pitched their solutions to an expert panel drawn from Nigeria’s business, investment and innovation ecosystems.
Specifically, the NPI 4.0 focused on startups operating in Manufacturing, Climate & Food Security, and Healthcare – sectors with significant potential to advance Nigeria’s economic growth, resilience and sustainable development.
The NPI 4.0 expanded opportunities for participating startups through strategic partnerships, increased access to funding, and enhanced entrepreneurial development and business growth support, offering a combined prize value of $275,000, comprising $220,000 from NSIA, USD 45,000 from Cascador and $10,000 from Wema Bank.
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Following a competitive evaluation process, Come Again Foods, which manufactures packaged snacks using locally sourced agricultural commodities, emerged as the overall winner, receiving a combined prize value of USD 100,000.
Protein Kapital, which produces protein and biofertilisers through insect farming and the processing of organic waste, placed second, receiving a combined prize value of $70,000. Instant Rad Inc., an Al-enabled teleradiology platform connecting hospitals and diagnostic centres with radiologists across Africa, placed third, receiving a combined prize value of $50,000.
Additional awards comprized the Cascador cash prizes in which Eight Medical and Uwana Energy received USD 15,000 each as well as the Cascador Impact prizes from which Sambal Enterprises, Come Again Foods and Ebees Green received USD 5,000 each; and Wema Bank prizes, in which Eight Medical, Smartel Agri Tech and Tryctor received USD 4,000 each.
Beyond the prize pool, NPI 4.0 provides pathways to further financing, business development and market access, enabling participating startups to strengthen their operations and scale proven solutions. Eligible winners will have the opportunity to access up to USD 1.5 million in growth capital through Pula Xcelerator to support business expansion and operational growth.
In addition, winners will participate in a fully funded entrepreneurial development programme at the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Lagos. The programme will cover business strategy, leadership, governance, financial management, market expansion and investor readiness. Building Nigerian Businesses for Impact
Speaking at the Demo Day, the NSIA Managing Director/CEO, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, said: “The quality of solutions presented at this year’s Demo Day reflects the depth of innovation and entrepreneurial talent across Nigeria. Through the NSIA Prize for Innovation, we are not only recognising promising ideas; we are creating pathways for entrepreneurs to access the capital, capabilities, networks and partnerships needed to build sustainable, scalable businesses.
“The evolution of NPI 4.0 and the expanded opportunities created through our partners reinforce our commitment to supporting Nigerian innovators developing practical solutions to critical challenges. We congratulate all the winners and finalists and look forward to seeing these businesses grow, create jobs and deliver meaningful economic and social impact”, Umar-Sadiq added.
Analysts believe that building on a growing legacy since its inception, the NSIA Prize for Innovation has become an important platform for entrepreneurship development, innovation and ecosystem support in Nigeria.
Across its first three editions, NPl attracted more than 20,000 applications from startups across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, spanning sectors including financial technology, agriculture, healthcare, education, transportation and logistics.
Through funding, technical support, entrepreneurial training, mentorship and strategic partnerships, the programme helps promising Nigerian businesses strengthen their business models, expand their operations and improve their readiness for investment. NPI 4.0 builds on this foundation, with a sharper focus on Manufacturing, Climate & Food Security, and Healthcare-sectors with significant potential to strengthen economic resilience, create jobs, improve livelihoods and advance sustainable development.
Beyond Demo Day NPI 4.0 is designed as a structured development pathway, taking participating businesses from application and capacity building through pitching, funding and post-competition support.
The programme comprises five stages, namely Pre-selection – Startups submit applications through the NPI application portal and are assessed against the programme’s eligibility and selection criteria; Accelerator – selected startups participate in intensive capacity-building and business development sessions to strengthen their business propositions and prepare for investment and scale; and Mini Demo Day – shortlisted startups present their solutions as part of the finalist selection process.
Others are Demo Day – finalists pitch their businesses to an expert panel of leaders from the business, investment and innovation ecosystems; Post-Demo Day -winners and eligible finalists progress to further entrepreneurial development, mentorship, investor engagement and funding opportunities through NPl and its strategic partners.
Through this approach, NSIA seeks to help entrepreneurs translate innovation into resilient, investment-ready and scalable enterprises capable of delivering measurable economic and social impact.
The Authority congratulated all NPI 4.0 winners and finalists and reaffirms its commitment to advancing innovation, entrepreneurship and businesses that contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s long-term economic development
