{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-03/ecobank-nigeria-innovatex-hackathon-winner","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-03/ecobank-nigeria-innovatex-hackathon-winner.md","title":"Ecobank Nigeria Awards N22m in InnovateX Hackathon","headline":"Ecobank Nigeria Names Team Vhorde Winner of N22m InnovateX Hackathon in Lagos","description":"Ecobank Nigeria awarded N22m across 20 finalist teams at its InnovateX hackathon, with Team Vhorde taking N5m after 168 teams and 672 students entered.","section":"Business","published_at":"2026-11-03T00:16:37+00:00","modified_at":"2026-11-03T00:16:37+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["Team Vhorde won N5m as the overall winner of Ecobank Nigeria's InnovateX 2026 Grand Finale in Lagos.","Ecobank Nigeria distributed a total of N22m among the 20 finalist teams, with the team placed 20th receiving N500,000.","The competition drew 168 teams comprising 672 students from 90 universities across Nigeria."],"companies":[{"name":"Ecobank Nigeria","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/02lz5oo/ecobank-nigeria","website":"https://browser.yandex.com"}],"source":{"publisher":"Punch Newspapers","title":"Ecobank urges young Nigerians to turn ideas into practical solutions","url":"https://punchng.com/ecobank-urges-young-nigerians-to-turn-ideas-into-practical-solutions/"},"other_sources":[{"publisher":"Sync NI","url":"https://syncni.com/article/16171/danske-bank-and-young-enterprise-ni-launch-5-000-biodiversity-challenge-for-schools"},{"publisher":"PR Newswire","url":"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/geolava-vaidio-and-sensoneo-named-winners-of-the-2026-north-texas-connected-innovation-pitch-competition-302924072.html"}],"tags":["Business","Ecobank Nigeria"],"body_markdown":"Ecobank Nigeria awarded a total of N22m to 20 finalist teams at the grand finale of its InnovateX hackathon in Lagos, with Team Vhorde named overall winner and receiving N5m. [Punch Newspapers](https://punchng.com/ecobank-urges-young-nigerians-to-turn-ideas-into-practical-solutions/) reported the prizes on November 3, 2026.\n\n## Inside the InnovateX Grand Finale\n\nKola Adeleke, Executive Director, Commercial and Consumer Banking at [Ecobank Nigeria](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/02lz5oo/ecobank-nigeria), used the finale to call on young Nigerians to convert innovative ideas into practical solutions for challenges in banking, technology, business and society. He said the bank's ambition went beyond picking winners and included nurturing promising ideas, building entrepreneurial capabilities and connecting innovators with resources, mentorship and networks.\n\n\"InnovateX was created to give young Nigerians a platform to transform ideas into practical solutions to real-world challenges across banking, technology, business and society,\" Adeleke said. He said participants presented ideas in financial technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital services, education and enterprise solutions.\n\nThe competition attracted 168 teams comprising 672 students from 90 universities across Nigeria, and 20 teams from Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja advanced to the finale. E-Nation placed first runner-up with N4m, Konvoy finished second runner-up with N3.5m, and Kredo and Aselabs followed, while the team placed 20th received N500,000.\n\nVictor Yalokwu, Head, Products and Analytics at Ecobank Nigeria, said the hackathon extended the bank's Blaze youth proposition. He said the initiative also includes a Campus Ambassadors Programme that gives students stipends and opportunities to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills. The hackathon was organised under Blaze by Ecobank in partnership with Heave Ventures and Verve.\n\n## How Other Banks Back Young Innovators\n\nDanske Bank and Young Enterprise Northern Ireland launched the fourth year of their biodiversity challenge for post-primary schools during Green Careers Week, offering a £5,000 prize fund and expanded entry across terms 2 and 3, [Sync NI](https://syncni.com/article/16171/danske-bank-and-young-enterprise-ni-launch-5-000-biodiversity-challenge-for-schools) reported on November 2, 2026. [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/geolava-vaidio-and-sensoneo-named-winners-of-the-2026-north-texas-connected-innovation-pitch-competition-302924072.html) reported on October 29, 2026, that Geolava, Vaidio and Sensoneo won the 2026 North Texas Connected Innovation Pitch Competition, which drew 53 applicants from 38 cities, and that the winners will pursue pilots and partnerships.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}