Call for Applications: TechCircle Pitch2Win 5 Startup Pitch Competition ($10,000 Equity-Free Funding and 30+ Global Investors)

TechCircle is excited to announce the fifth edition of Pitch2Win, Nigeria’s leading startup pitch competition designed to spotlight and support promising early-stage startups. Scheduled for July 30, 2025, this year’s event promises to be the most impactful yet.

 Fifteen (15) startups will pitch live before a panel of 30+ global investors and leading local VCs for a chance to win a $10,000 equity-free grant and gain visibility among decision-makers actively seeking to invest in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem. 

Pitch2Win has a proven track record of launching startups into growth. Just last year, Regxta, the winner of Pitch2Win 4, went on to raise almost $400,000 in funding within one week of the event. Other alumni like Pharmarun, Tyms, and ZeroComplex AI also secured major funding and strategic partnerships after their participation in the third edition in 2023.

“Pitch2Win is more than just a pitch competition. It’s a launchpad,” said Oo Nwoye, Founder of Techcircle. “We’re proud to connect high-potential startups with the capital, visibility, and expert feedback they need to scale.”

This year’s judging and investor panel includes representatives from Japan and top-tier Nigerian VC firms. Last edition welcomed notable investors like Hiro Mashita of SGverse/SGgrow, Yuzuru Honda of FreakOut Holdings, and representatives from IVS (Japan’s largest crypto and startup conference).

Since inception, Pitch2Win has helped spotlight early-stage startups that have gone on to raise over $50 million collectively. Past participants include Reliance Health , LifeBank, Edves, Curacel, Lendsqr, and Figorr (formerly Gricd). 

Who Should Apply?

• Innovators building for the African market (coverage should include Nigeria)

• Early-stage Technology-Enabled Startups

• Startups with a market-ready product and / or prototype (traction is a plus)

• Available to attend physical pitch practice in Lagos, Nigeria on July 28th – 29th 2025

• Available to attend physical demo day event in Lagos, Nigeria on July 30th, 2025

Benefits:

• $10,000 equity-free funding will be awarded to the winner
• Advisory, mentorship and access to investors for top 30 participants
• High quality networking and collaborative engagements

Apply now:

• Applications are open from May 26 to June 15, 2025
• Get more details and apply using this link