By Elizabeth Osayande

In a vibrant display of innovation and purpose-driven tech, the recent Uplift Hackathon spotlighted a new wave of Nigerian founders tackling urgent problems through software, fintech, and cybersecurity. With 50 applicants narrowed to 10 standout finalists, the virtual pitch event brought together sharp ideas, meaningful feedback, and powerful community energy. In the end, CACU, an intuitive mobile and web solution designed to simplify accounting for Nigeria’s MSMEs, was awarded the top grant prize.

Strategic Guidance from World-Class Judges
The strength of this year’s Uplift Hackathon came not only from its bold participants but also from the precision and mentorship offered by its judging panel. Three distinguished professionals led the review and feedback process:

Temitope Akerele – Systems Innovation & Scalable Execution
Temitope is a recognised thought leader in systems innovation, operations design, and project transformation. A certified Professional Scrum Master, Salesforce Ranger, and Trainual Level 3 expert, she is known for translating complex goals into scalable, high-impact execution strategies. Her current work explores how AI can be embedded within traditional frameworks to enable agile delivery under real-world constraints. As a mentor and strategist, she empowers teams to bridge vision with implementation across diverse industries.

“I’m so impressed by the creativity and technical expertise of all the participants, and I just want to say a huge congratulations to everyone who made it through this round successfully.”

Onengiye Fimibama – Cybersecurity Strategist & Digital Risk Leader
With over six years of experience in cloud security, compliance, and enterprise risk management, Onengiye brings a forward-thinking approach to digital protection and operational resilience. She holds a master’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of Dallas and is an active member of ISACA and ISC². Passionate about mentorship and innovation, she supports rising tech leaders while advising organisations on secure digital growth.

“Judging the Uplift Hackathon was such an inspiring experience. I was genuinely moved by the bold ideas, thoughtful execution, and the founders’ deep commitment to solving real-world problems. It was a front-row seat to innovation in motion.”

Ayoade Adegbite – Senior Data Engineer & Global Analytics Mentor
Ayoade is a Senior Data Engineer with over five years of experience building scalable data solutions across North America, Europe, and Africa. At Bredge LLC, he has mentored 900+ students in 7 countries and delivered results such as a 65% improvement in data accuracy and $10K in monthly savings. His mission is to empower teams to make smarter decisions by bridging data science with business strategy.
“Confidence is great, but when combined with communication skills, it becomes a crucial skill for success as either a leader or follower. I saw this at the Hackathon.”

Their detailed feedback and strong time management kept the event impactful and empowering, with every pitch receiving actionable insight.

Uplift: Fueling Startup Growth Through Access and Visibility
Uplift is a platform designed to unlock access to mentorship, capital, and visibility for African tech builders. By centring overlooked founders, from student innovators to first-time entrepreneurs, Uplift helps drive scalable solutions that address regional and global problems.

This year’s competition highlighted how strong ideas, when paired with the right support, can be refined into investment-ready ventures. Uplift’s mission is to provide that ongoing support network through future hackathons, mentorship opportunities, and funding cycles.

Celebrating the Winner: CACU
CACU emerged as the winner of the event, praised for its clarity, execution, and real-world relevance. The app simplifies bookkeeping and unlocks access to credit for Nigeria’s underserved MSMEs, a massive market often overlooked by traditional financial systems.

“This grant just further validates the fact that CACU is a viable product solving a real problem,” said the founder, Oyewale Olayiwola. “This support will help us scale and improve how we simplify bookkeeping and accounting for small businesses and ultimately open up access to credit. All thanks to Uplift.”