Is the SMEDAN ₦100 Million Entrepreneur Fund Still Open? Winners Announced
The SMEDAN ₦100 million entrepreneur funding opportunity is no longer open for applications. The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria has concluded its Zero to 100 Pitch Competition, with three businesses receiving a combined ₦30 million in grants at the 2026 National MSME Conference in Lagos.
The competition attracted 661 applications, but only three businesses emerged as grant winners after several rounds of assessment and live pitching.
Is the SMEDAN ₦100 million entrepreneur fund still open?
No. Applications for the Zero to 100 Pitch Competition closed at 11:59 p.m. on October 27, 2026.
SMEDAN's official application page confirms that entries have closed. The competition proceeded through shortlisting, semi-finals and a final held on November 10 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Anyone looking to submit a new application for this round can no longer do so.
Who won the SMEDAN Zero to 100 competition?
SMEDAN announced three businesses as winners of the Lagos final, sharing ₦30 million in grants.
The winners were:
- Rèkool Access Technology – ₦15 million: The Borno-based health technology business developed solar-powered cold boxes for vaccines and blood.
- HorizonCrest – ₦10 million: The Kaduna-based technology business presented V-Aid, a smart cane designed to support people with visual impairments.
- Achilles Drill – ₦5 million: The Lagos-based education business developed a mobile learning platform for medical students.
The three businesses emerged from a competition that began with 661 applicants. Ten businesses reached the semi-final stage, while five advanced to the final.
Why was SMEDAN offering ₦100 million to entrepreneurs?
SMEDAN introduced the Zero to 100 initiative as part of its effort to support Nigerian entrepreneurs through business development and financial assistance.
The agency said the programme was designed to help business owners overcome challenges involving access to capital, business management, pricing and customer acquisition.
The wider initiative was announced with a ₦100 million funding figure, with the agency describing plans for grant distribution at the Lagos conference and another event in northern Nigeria.
However, the official competition results page currently confirms ₦30 million awarded to the three Lagos pitch winners. The full breakdown of the remaining advertised funding should not be assumed without further official confirmation.
How many businesses applied for the SMEDAN grant?
According to SMEDAN's official competition results, 661 businesses submitted applications.
The selection process progressed as follows:
- 661 businesses applied.
- 45 businesses made the longlist.
- 10 businesses reached the semi-final.
- Five businesses advanced to the final.
- Three businesses received grants.
The final judging considered factors including business traction, social impact, business model, founder capability and presentation.
Can Nigerians still apply for the SMEDAN grant?
No. The application window for the 2026 Zero to 100 competition has closed.
SMEDAN has not announced a new application date for another edition. Entrepreneurs interested in future opportunities should monitor the agency's official website and conference announcements rather than relying on unofficial registration links.
The official competition page is available at:
https://conference.smedan.gov.ng/pitch
Will SMEDAN offer another ₦100 million entrepreneur fund?
SMEDAN's official conference website says the Zero to 100 competition will return, but it has not published a confirmed date or application requirements for the next edition.
Entrepreneurs should wait for an official announcement before preparing applications or making payments to anyone claiming to offer access to a future grant.
For the 2026 edition, the confirmed result is that three businesses won ₦30 million in total, following a competition that attracted 661 applicants.
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Originally published at Flames Nova
