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Benue State has marked a significant milestone in its innovation journey with the successful launch of the first pioneer physical edition of Pitch Friday, organized by the Benue Tech Foundation. The event, described by officials as a groundbreaking moment for entrepreneurship and startup development in the region, provided a powerful platform for Benue indigenes to present bold startup ideas to a wider audience.
According to Adeke Smonter Samuel, Programs Lead of the foundation, the initiative was birthed through the visionary leadership of the foundation’s president, Tersoo Hulugh, with the aim of addressing critical gaps in access, funding, networking, and skills within the local ecosystem. Participants gained strategic feedback, expert reviews, and meaningful exposure designed to propel their ventures forward.
During the event, five promising startups from the Benue ecosystem were elevated through a structured reward system. The winning startup received a grand prize of ₦100,000, while the second to fifth place winners each received ₦50,000. Beyond the cash prizes, the startups will also benefit from startup training programs hosted by Maxify Global, startup accelerator opportunities powered by Hub17, and structural documentation support provided by Maxify Tickets.
The foundation described the event as empowerment in action, emphasizing that this was not just another gathering but a concrete step toward building a thriving startup ecosystem.
The milestone was made possible, according to the foundation, by the relentless dedication of the Benue Tech team, including Oheobe Agwu, Kator Adabo Christopher, Raymond Yima, Utor Bembga, Ambo Terdoo Philemon, and Abu J, as well as the vibrant community, program coordinators, partners, sponsors, and every individual who contributed from the earliest planning stages to the successful execution of the main event.
Special appreciation was extended to the Cityhackz team for their steadfast support. In his closing remarks, Adeke Smonter Samuel affirmed that Benue is rising, the ecosystem is growing, and this is only the beginning, with a continued commitment to strengthening innovation and creating opportunities for Benue State and beyond.
