The startup, Come Again Foods, wins NSIA innovation prize, gets $100,000
Time has smiled on a Nigerian snacks company, Come Again Foods, as it has won the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI 4.0).
A statement from the NSIA in Abuja on Sunday named Come Again Foods overall winner of the NPI.40, with the startup receiving a combined prize value of 100,000 dollars.
The announcement was made following the NPI 4.0 Demo Day themed “Building for Impact”, where 12 finalists, selected from 6,000 applications, pitched their solutions to an expert panel drawn from Nigeria’s business, investment and innovation ecosystems.
Come Again Foods manufactures packaged snacks using locally sourced agricultural commodities.
Protein Kapital, which produces protein and biofertilisers through insect farming and the processing of organic waste, emerged second, receiving a combined prize value of 70,000 dollars.
Instant Rad Inc., an artificial intelligence-enabled teleradiology platform connecting hospitals and diagnostic centres with radiologists across Africa, placed third, receiving 50,000 dollars.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fourth edition focused on startups operating in manufacturing, climate and food security, and healthcare.
The NSIA said the sectors were selected for their potential to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth, resilience and sustainable development.
The authority said the edition offered a combined prize value of 275,000 dollars, comprising 220,000 dollars from NSIA, 45,000 dollars from Cascador and 10,000 dollars from Wema Bank.
The NSIA said as part of the additional awards, Eight Medical and Uwana Energy received 15,000 dollars each in Cascador cash prizes.
Sambal Enterprises, Come Again Foods and Ebees Green received 5,000 dollars each under the Cascador Impact prizes.
Similarly, Eight Medical, Smartel Agri Tech and Tryctor received 4,000 dollars each in Wema Bank prizes.
Beyond the prize money, the authority said eligible winners will have the opportunity to access up to 1.5 million dollars in growth capital through Pula Xcelerator to support business expansion and operational growth.
The NSIA said winners will also participate in a fully funded entrepreneurial development programme at the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Lagos.
It said the programme will cover business strategy, leadership, governance, financial management, market expansion and investor readiness.
Speaking at the Demo Day, Mr Aminu Umar-Sadiq, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSIA, said the quality of solutions presented reflected the depth of innovation and entrepreneurial talent across Nigeria.
“Through the NSIA Prize for Innovation, we are not only recognising promising ideas; we are creating pathways for entrepreneurs to access the capital, capabilities, networks and partnerships needed to build sustainable, scalable businesses.”
Umar-Sadiq said the expanded opportunities created through the programme’s strategic partnerships reinforced the authority’s commitment to supporting Nigerian innovators developing practical solutions to critical challenges.
He congratulated the winners and finalists, expressing optimism that the businesses would grow, create jobs and deliver meaningful economic and social impact.
The authority said that since its inception, the NSIA Prize for Innovation has supported entrepreneurship development, innovation and ecosystem growth in Nigeria.
“Across its first three editions, the programme attracted more than 20,000 applications from startups across the country’s six geopolitical zones, spanning sectors such as financial technology, agriculture, healthcare, education, transportation and logistics.”
The NSIA said the NPI 4.0 programme comprises five stages: pre-selection, accelerator, Mini Demo Day, Demo Day and post-Demo Day support.
It said through funding, technical support, entrepreneurial training, mentorship and strategic partnerships, the initiative seeks to help promising Nigerian businesses strengthen their operations, improve investment readiness and scale their solutions.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship as drivers of Nigeria’s long-term economic development.
It said further information on the programme is available on the NSIA Prize for Innovation website, www.nsia-ip.com.
The NSIA Prize for Innovation is the flagship innovation and entrepreneurship development initiative of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, designed to identify and support high-potential Nigerian startups through funding, capacity building, mentorship and strategic partnerships.
The programme seeks to help entrepreneurs develop scalable solutions that promote economic growth, create jobs and advance sustainable development in Nigeria and across Africa.
