Come Again Foods has emerged the overall winner of the fourth edition of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Prize for Innovation (NPI 4.0), a programme designed to support Nigerian startups developing solutions to economic and social challenges.
VDCInsights reports that Come Again Foods, manufacturers of packaged snacks from locally sourced agricultural commodities, came tops and smiled to the bank with 100,000 dollars, following a competitive evaluation at the NPI 4.0 Demo Day, themed “Building for Impact”. .
The second prize valued at $70,000 went to Protein Kapital, a startup that produces protein and biofertilisers through insect farming and organic waste processing, while Instant Rad Inc., an artificial intelligence-powered teleradiology platform connecting hospitals and diagnostic centres with radiologists across Africa, placed third with $50,000.
About 6,000 applications were received for the latest NPI 4-0 edition, which focused on manufacturing, climate and food security, and healthcare, while 12 made it to the final, Come Again Foods, Protein Kapital and Instant Rad Inc. emerged the lucky winners .
The NSIA said the fourth edition built on previous programmes by expanding access to funding, strategic partnerships and business development support for participating startups.
The total prize pool stood at $275,000, comprising $220,000 from the NSIA, $45,000 from Cascador and $10,000 from Wema Bank.
Other beneficiaries included Eight Medical and Uwana Energy, which received $15,000 each in Cascador cash prizes.
Sambal Enterprises, Come Again Foods and Ebees Green received $5,000 each under the Cascador Impact prizes, while Eight Medical, Smartel Agri Tech and Tryctor received $4,000 each from Wema Bank.
The NSIA said the programme would provide winners with additional opportunities to access growth financing, strengthen business operations and expand into new markets, beyond the cash awards .
VDCInsights reports that eligible winners will have the opportunity to access up to $1.5 million in growth capital through Pula Xcelerator to support business expansion and operational growth.
The winners will also participate in a fully funded entrepreneurial development programme at the Enterprise Development Centre in Lagos, which will cover business strategy, leadership, corporate governance, financial management, market expansion and investor readiness.
Speaking at the Demo Day, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSIA, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, said the quality of solutions presented by the finalists demonstrated the depth of innovation and entrepreneurial talent in Nigeria.
According to him “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 introduced under NPI 4.0, alongside partnerships with other organisations, reflected the Authority’s commitment to helping Nigerian innovators develop practical solutions to pressing challenges.
The Managing Director congratulated the winners and finalists, expressing optimism that the supported businesses would grow, create jobs and deliver economic and social benefits.
The NSIA Prize for Innovation has become a platform for promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and business development in Nigeria, since its inception.
The first three editions attracted more than 20,000 applications from startups across the country’s six geopolitical zones, covering sectors including financial technology, agriculture, healthcare, education, transportation and logistics.
The latest edition reinforces the programme’s focus on helping promising Nigerian businesses move beyond early-stage innovation towards sustainable operations, commercial growth and wider economic impact.
