Do you run an early-stage startup in Africa’s creative economy — fashion, music, media, edtech, fintech or similar? The Learnstar Startup Challenge 2027 will award a ₦1,500,000 grant to one founder after a live pitch at the Learnstar Creative Summit in Lagos on 20 February 2027. Entry is free, and applications close on 15 December 2026.
The summit also runs a second prize: the ₦1,000,000 Learnstar Creator Award for individual creators. You can apply to both, as they are judged separately.
Key Details
- Organiser: Learnstar (Yaba, Lagos), as part of the Learnstar Creative Summit 2027
- Prize: ₦1,500,000 grant + mentorship + investor introductions
- Who: early-stage creative economy startups
- Finals: 4–5 founders pitch live on the Exchange stage in Lagos, 20 February 2027
- Cost: free at every stage
- Deadline: 15 December 2026
Benefits
- a ₦1,500,000 grant for the winner
- mentorship from Learnstar
- introductions to investors in the Learnstar network
- a live pitch in front of judges, investors and the summit audience — valuable exposure even if you don’t win
Learnstar Creator Award (separate): ₦1,000,000 grant, mentorship from Learnstar faculty and a feature slot on the main stage, open to any African creator “building something real”. Creators can also be nominated.
Eligibility
- an early-stage startup in the creative economy
- sectors listed on the form: fintech, edtech, media and content, fashion, music, health, agritech and other
- a founder able to pitch in person in Lagos on 20 February 2027 if selected
Learnstar has not published a detailed eligibility list (for example on business registration or nationality). The Creator Award is described as open to any African creator. Travel costs to Lagos for finalists are not mentioned, so ask the organisers if you live outside Lagos.
How Finalists Are Chosen
- a panel of Learnstar faculty and industry judges reviews all applications
- 8–10 semifinalists are announced in December
- 4–5 finalists are chosen in January
- finalists pitch live and the winner is announced on stage on 20 February 2027
How to Apply
- Go to the official Learnstar Creative Summit competitions page.
- Click Apply Now under The Learnstar Startup Challenge.
- Enter your startup name, sector, a one-line pitch, and your name, email and phone number.
- Submit before 15 December 2026.
- Optional: register for the summit for free to attend.
Questions: [email protected].
Tips
- Your one-line pitch is the first thing judges see — say who you serve, the problem and your traction in one sentence.
- Prepare a short pitch deck now in case you reach the semifinals.
- Have numbers ready: users, revenue, growth.
- If you are also a creator, apply for the Creator Award too.
More Funding for Nigerian Founders
- TBH MSME PITCH-A-TON 1.0: Up to ₦10M Funding
- Open Arts Fund 2026: Up to ₦500,000 for Creatives
- UNDP Young Africa Innovates 2026–2027
Deadline: 15 December 2026. Free to enter.
