The Nigerian startup ecosystem witnessed a night of innovation and passion at the fourth edition of the Pitch2Win competition. Regxta, an inclusive digital platform, emerged victorious, taking home the coveted $10,000 equity-free funding and an all-expense-paid trip to IVS2024, Japan’s largest startup conference, held in Kyoto.
Regxta: Bridging the Financial Gap for Unbanked Communities
Founded in 2021 by Rukayat Bello, Afis Bello, and Moses Obika, Regxta addresses the crucial issue of financial inclusion in Africa. Their platform offers quick and hassle-free access to financial services for unbanked individuals and micro-businesses in rural and peri-urban areas. This empowers communities often excluded from traditional financial institutions.
Rukayat Bello’s Electrifying Pitch Captivates Judges and Audience
The competition witnessed a stellar performance by Rukayat Bello, Regxta’s Co-founder. Her energetic and passionate pitch highlighted the unique value proposition of Regxta. When questioned about their competitive edge, Rukayat delivered a memorable response:
“Our direct competitors are traditional microfinance banks, known for their bureaucratic processes and lengthy disbursement times – up to two weeks! Regxta empowers its customers with immediate access to funds, within five minutes. No queues, no hassle – just financial freedom at their fingertips.”
This impactful response resonated with the judges, consisting of renowned figures like Tosin Faniro-Dada (Partner at Breega), Yuzuru Honda (President and Global CEO of Freakout Holdings), and Lynda Saint-Nwafor (Chief Enterprise Officer at MTN Nigeria). Rukayat’s passionate delivery earned her thunderous applause, laughter, and cheers from the audience, solidifying her position as a champion for financial inclusion.
Preggify Wins “Sponsors’ Choice” Award: 24/7 Care for Expectant Mothers
Adding a touch of excitement, an additional prize was revealed during the event – the “Sponsors’ Choice” award. Preggify, a healthtech startup founded in 2022 by Ifunanya Igweze and Temitayo Daniel, emerged victorious. This win secures them an all-expense-paid trip to IVS2024 in Kyoto. Preggify provides a vital service – 24/7 doctor-led care for pregnant women, ensuring access to quality healthcare throughout their pregnancy journeys.
A Showcase of Nigeria’s Thriving Startup Landscape
The Pitch2Win competition not only crowned a champion but also highlighted the breadth of innovation within Nigeria’s startup scene. Fifteen finalists, selected from a pool of 1,113 applications, presented their groundbreaking ideas across various sectors:
- Fintech: Regxta, Trade Lenda (credit for MSMEs), 10mg Pharma (AI-powered healthcare finance)
- Education: Edusko (school matching and financing), Beezop (employee training automation)
- Healthtech: Preggify (maternity care), Eight Medical (pre-hospital care network)
- Business Management: Fullgap (management tool for small businesses), Sendstack (logistics workflow automation)
- Others: Acceede (flexible school payment platform), Bunce (data-driven customer engagement), Apisentry Solutions (AI-powered API security), Sync! (teamwork management), Pave HQ (digital learning and career platform), Mida Africa (AI-powered ethical debt collection)
About Pitch2Win
Since 2016, TechCircle has organized the Pitch2Win competition, a platform for fostering innovation and empowering Nigerian startups. This year’s edition witnessed an overwhelming response with over 1,100 applications. The competition culminated in a night of inspiring pitches, crowning Regxta as the winner and showcasing the immense potential of Nigeria’s burgeoning startup ecosystem.