Applications are open for the SMEDAN Zero to 100 Pitch Competition 2026, giving Nigerian small businesses an opportunity to compete for a share of ₦30 million in grant funding.
The competition is part of the GROW Nigerian National MSME Conference 2026, organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria.
Three businesses will receive grants of ₦15 million, ₦10 million and ₦5 million.
Applications close at 5:00 PM on October 22, 2026, and participation is free.
SMEDAN Zero to 100 Prize Breakdown
The ₦30 million grant pool will be shared among three winners.
First place: ₦15 million
Second place: ₦10 million
Third place: ₦5 million
SMEDAN says the grants will be presented during the final stage of the competition.
Applicants should understand that submitting an application does not guarantee that they will be shortlisted or receive a grant.
Who Can Apply?
The Zero to 100 Pitch Competition is designed for Nigerian small businesses that are ready to present their business and growth plans to a judging panel.
The official application requirements show that applicants must have a CAC registration number and a valid SMEDAN ID.
This means the competition is targeted at businesses that are already formally registered.
Applicants must also be ready to prepare a business pitch, submit a pitch deck and publish a short video explaining their business.
Requirements for the SMEDAN Pitch Competition
Before starting the application, prepare the following:
- CAC registration number
- Valid SMEDAN ID
- Pitch deck in PDF format
- Public Instagram pitch video
- SMEDAN certificate, if available
The pitch deck must not exceed 10MB.
The SMEDAN certificate is optional and may be uploaded as PDF, JPG or PNG with a maximum file size of 2MB.
How to Get a SMEDAN ID
A SMEDAN ID is required for the competition.
Business owners who do not already have one can register through the official SMEDAN portal before completing the pitch application.
SMEDAN allows applicants to save their competition application and return to it while waiting for their ID.
Applicants can register for a SMEDAN ID through:https://portal.smedan.gov.ng
You should use the same correct business information across your SMEDAN registration, CAC records and competition application.
How to Prepare Your Instagram Pitch Video
Applicants must post a pitch video on Instagram before completing the application.
The video should be between 1 minute 30 seconds and 2 minutes long.
SMEDAN says applicants should introduce themselves, explain their business and show why their business deserves to be considered for the competition.
The Instagram post must be public.
Videos posted only on TikTok, Facebook, YouTube or other platforms will not be accepted for this requirement.
Before submitting the video link, applicants must:
- Follow SMEDAN’s official social media accounts
- Follow GROW NIGERIAN on Instagram
- Tag @smedangov
- Tag @grownigerianhq
- Use #MSMEConference2026
- Use #SMEDANPitchCompetition
- Use #GrowNigerian
The tags should be included in the actual Instagram post.
What to Say in Your Pitch Video
A good pitch should explain the business quickly and clearly.
You can structure your two minute video around five points.
Start by introducing yourself and your business.
Explain the problem your business solves.
Describe the product or service you provide.
Show evidence that people need or already use your product.
Finally, explain how additional funding can help your business grow.
Avoid spending most of the video talking about your personal background.
The judges need to understand the business, the opportunity and what makes it worth supporting.
What to Include in Your Pitch Deck
Your pitch deck should support the information provided in your video and application form.
A simple pitch deck can cover:
- Business name and introduction
- Problem being solved
- Product or service
- Target customers
- Market opportunity
- Current business performance
- Revenue or customer growth where available
- Business model
- Competition
- Amount of funding needed
- How the grant will be used
- Expected growth after funding
Keep the presentation clear and easy to understand.
Do not fill the slides with long paragraphs.
Use real business figures where possible and make sure any claims can be supported.
How the Selection Process Works
The competition will move through several stages.
Application Stage
Applications are open from October 15 to October 22, 2026.
Businesses must submit the required information, pitch deck and Instagram video before the deadline.
Shortlisting
SMEDAN says 10 businesses will be selected for the semifinals.
The shortlist is expected to be announced on October 26, 2026.
Semifinal
The shortlisted businesses will pitch during the second day of the National MSME Conference at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Lagos.
Final
Businesses that progress from the semifinal will pitch before the judging panel during the final on the third day.
The final is scheduled to take place on November 10, 2026.
About the National MSME Conference 2026
The competition is part of the GROW Nigerian National MSME Conference 2026.
The conference will take place from November 8 to November 10, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The 2026 theme is:
The Next Frontier for Innovation, Policy and Market Access
The event will bring together entrepreneurs, businesses, government agencies, investors and other organizations involved in Nigeria’s MSME sector.
The conference will cover areas including finance, market access, technology, policy and workforce development.
Is the SMEDAN Pitch Competition Free?
Yes.
There is no application fee for the Zero to 100 Pitch Competition.
SMEDAN also states that applying for the pitch competition, registering to attend the conference and applying for available exhibition opportunities are free.
Applicants should therefore be careful with anyone asking for money to secure a place in the competition.
How to Improve Your Application
Meeting the requirements does not guarantee selection.
Before submitting your application, check that your business information is accurate and consistent.
Your pitch should clearly show:
- What your business does
- The problem it solves
- Who your customers are
- Evidence that the business has potential
- What makes the business different
- How the grant will be used
- What measurable growth the funding can create
Avoid giving vague answers such as saying the money will simply be used to “grow the business.”
Be specific.
For example, explain whether the funding will be used for production equipment, inventory, staff, technology, distribution, packaging or another clear business need.
SMEDAN’s competition terms state that inaccurate or misleading information can lead to an application being held for review or declined.
Important Dates
Applications open: October 15, 2026
Application deadline: October 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Shortlist announcement: October 26, 2026
National MSME Conference: November 8 to 10, 2026
Pitch final: November 10, 2026
Applicants should submit early rather than waiting until the final hour.
How to Apply for SMEDAN Zero to 100 Pitch Competition
Interested businesses should first prepare their SMEDAN ID, CAC number, pitch deck and Instagram pitch video.
Then visit:https://conference.smedan.gov.ng/pitch
Follow the application instructions and provide accurate business information.
Before submitting, make sure your Instagram post is public, the required accounts are tagged and all three official hashtags are included.
Applications must be completed before 5:00 PM on October 22, 2026.
Important Note
The Zero to 100 competition is competitive.
Ten businesses will move to the semifinal stage, while only three businesses will receive the ₦30 million grant pool.
Applicants should therefore treat the pitch deck and video as important parts of the application rather than simply completing the registration form.
A clear explanation of the business, its customers, current progress and how the funding will create growth can make the application easier for reviewers to understand.
