The competition will shortlist five entrepreneurs to present their businesses before a live audience and judging panel at the Learnstar Creative Summit 2027 in Lagos. The overall winner will be announced during the event’s Grand Finale on 20 February 2027.
Beyond the financial reward, the initiative provides early-stage founders with an opportunity to showcase their businesses, gain visibility and connect with investors, entrepreneurs and other industry professionals within Nigeria’s creative and business ecosystem.
Applications will close on 15 December 2026.
What is the Learnstar Startup Challenge 2027?
The Learnstar Startup Challenge is a business pitching competition organised as part of the Learnstar Creative Summit 2027. The summit brings together entrepreneurs, creatives, investors, business leaders and other professionals to explore opportunities in entrepreneurship, innovation and the creative economy.
Five selected founders will be invited to present their businesses live on the Summit’s Exchange stage. They will pitch to an audience and a panel of judges, with one participant emerging as the winner of the ₦1.5 million cash prize.
The competition aims to provide promising entrepreneurs with a platform to demonstrate their business ideas, showcase their offerings and establish connections that could support their growth.
What does the winning founder receive?
The successful entrepreneur will receive a cash prize of ₦1,500,000.
The five finalists will also benefit from the opportunity to present their businesses to a live audience, attract attention from investors and industry professionals, showcase their products or services and establish connections within the creative and business community.
Participation will also give the selected founders practical experience in presenting their business models and communicating their growth potential before an audience and judging panel.
The prize money could support business expansion activities, including equipment purchases, inventory growth, marketing or other specific development initiatives.
However, applicants are advised to consult the organisers for the complete terms and conditions relating to the prize and its disbursement.
Who can apply for the Learnstar Startup Challenge?
The competition is open to business founders and entrepreneurs interested in presenting their ventures at the Learnstar Creative Summit.
However, the organisers’ publicly available information does not provide a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements. Details concerning minimum business age, registration status, turnover thresholds and possible sector restrictions have not been specified.
Interested entrepreneurs are therefore encouraged to examine the official application form and confirm the applicable requirements before submitting their entries.
Founders should be prepared to explain the problem their businesses address, the customers they serve and their potential for growth.
How will the competition work?
The Learnstar Startup Challenge will follow a selection process culminating in a live pitching session at the summit.
Interested entrepreneurs must first complete and submit the online application form through the official Learnstar competitions page.
Following the application process, the organisers will select five founders to participate in the competition.
The shortlisted entrepreneurs will then pitch their businesses live on the Exchange stage at the Learnstar Creative Summit in Lagos.
At the end of the presentations, one entrepreneur will be selected as the winner of the ₦1.5 million prize. The winner will be announced during the Grand Finale on 20 February 2027.
When and where will the Learnstar Creative Summit 2027 hold?
The Learnstar Creative Summit 2027 is scheduled for 19 and 20 February 2027 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The two-day event will bring together entrepreneurs, creative professionals, investors and other industry stakeholders.
The main summit is scheduled for 20 February, while the Creative Capital Forum, an invitation-only gathering, will take place on 19 February.
According to the organisers, registration for the main summit is free, although available seats are limited.
Participants seeking access to the Deal Room will have to pay separately. The Deal Room is designed to facilitate engagements between entrepreneurs and potential sources of funding, including investors, venture capital firms and fund managers.
The five selected Startup Challenge finalists will present their businesses on 20 February 2027.
Learnstar Startup Challenge 2027: Important dates
- Application deadline: 15 December 2026.
- Learnstar Creative Summit: 19–20 February 2027.
- Live startup pitches: 20 February 2027.
- Winner announcement: 20 February 2027.
How to apply for the ₦1.5 million Learnstar Startup Challenge
Entrepreneurs interested in participating can submit their applications online through the official Learnstar Creative Summit competitions page.
The application process involves the following steps:
- Visit the official Learnstar competitions website.
- Find the Learnstar Startup Challenge 2027.
- Open the application form and review the eligibility requirements.
- Enter the requested personal and business information.
- Complete and submit the application before the deadline.
Application link: https://lcs.learnstar.co/competitions
Application deadline: 15 December 2026.
Applicants should use the official website to verify the eligibility conditions and any additional information required by the organisers before submitting their entries.
Source: Learnstar
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