The 1st Edition of the Enugu Campus Hackathon has gone beyond the traditional model of a university competition, emerging instead as the launchpad for a structured accelerator programme designed to institutionalise an investment-ready venture pipeline in.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Positioned as a disciplined founder development and capital deployment platform, the initiative is built to identify, formalise, accelerate and fund high-potential startups emerging from universities across the state. Organisers say the objective is clear: not simply to host events, but to build sustainable venture infrastructure capable of producing scalable, investment-ready companies.
At the centre of the programme are four standout startups that emerged as category winners.
First Place – Growdex
Growdex secured the top position with its AI-powered ad automation platform that enables creators and businesses to launch, manage and optimise multi-channel digital campaigns from a unified dashboard.
The startup received a $5,000 investment grant alongside six months of incubation support at , a package valued at over $10,000.
Second Place – ZaddyExpress (Team High Flyer)
ZaddyExpress, a tech-enabled logistics and on-demand delivery platform, earned second place for its fast and reliable last-mile delivery solutions.
The team was awarded a $3,500 investment grant and six months of incubation support with .
Third Place – Linia Finance
Fintech startup Linia Finance clinched third place with its platform providing accessible, data-driven credit and financial management tools tailored for MSMEs and underserved individuals.
The team received a $2,500 investment grant and six months of incubation support at .
DeepTech Winner – ANBU GynaeCare
In partnership with the , ANBU GynaeCare emerged as the DeepTech category winner. The health-tech startup is developing biodegradable sanitary pads from banana fibres, targeting period poverty while reducing plastic waste through sustainable innovation.
ANBU GynaeCare was awarded a $2,500 investment grant and six months of incubation support with , valued at over $10,000.
The hackathon aligns with the broader economic vision of Governor , whose administration is pursuing a deliberate transition from a $4.4 billion economy to a $30 billion productivity-led economy anchored on technology, human capital development and structured capital deployment.
Through the Enugu MSME & Startup Agency, officials emphasised that the initiative represents a shift from event-driven programming to systemic venture development. According to organisers, the goal is to accelerate founders, deploy capital with discipline and build enduring startup infrastructure within the state.
Investors, development agencies, ecosystem leaders and corporate partners interested in supporting or engaging with the featured startups are encouraged to reach out via: