Fresh from rewarding eight startups with N45 million in seed funding in Lagos, telecommunications giant MTN is taking its youth-focused innovation platform, The Gathering, to Aba, where emerging entrepreneurs will battle for a N5 million prize pool in a Pitchathon aimed at discovering the city’s next generation of startup stars.
Scheduled to hold at the Prime Event Centre from June 14 to 15, 2026, the Aba edition of The Gathering is expected to bring together young founders, innovators and business builders from across Abia State and neighbouring cities, offering them not only financial support but also a rare opportunity to showcase their ideas before investors, industry leaders and potential customers.
The event is a high-stakes startup competition that will award N2.5 million to the overall winner, N1.5 million to the first runner-up and N1 million to the third-placed startup.
Organisers say registration is currently open through The Gathering’s official website, with entrepreneurs and early-stage founders encouraged to apply for the chance to pitch their businesses live.
The Aba Pitchathon comes on the heels of a highly successful Lagos edition of The Gathering on 100, which held at the National Stadium, Surulere, between April 22 and 26.
Eight startups shared a total of N45 million in seed funding after presenting solutions spanning fintech, healthtech, agritech, edtech and creative technology.
Hurpham Africa emerged as the biggest winner, securing N15 million in funding support, while Coconoto Limited received N10 million and Rava Send took home N5 million.
Five other startups: URI Social, Dulces Jams, Kindly Book, Africa Medical Marketplace and MyFund, were each awarded N3 million, alongside access to visibility opportunities and support within MTN’s broader business ecosystem.
