Wema Bank has launched the 2026 edition of its Hackaholics Accelerator Programme, admitting 10 startups into the latest cohort as part of efforts to support innovation and startup growth in Nigeria.
The accelerator, a selective growth programme under the bank’s Hackaholics platform, is designed to help promising startups strengthen their business foundations and prepare for sustainable growth and investment.
According to the bank, the 2026 cohort comprises the top 10 performing finalists from Hackaholics 6.0. The selected startups include Farmslate, Ploy, Stocmed, Feest (Chao), Varsityscape, MamaAlert, Sane, Cyclex, Kieva and Loocomo.
Speaking on the programme, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs beyond the ideation stage.
“Over the past six years, Hackaholics has grown into more than a competition; it has become a platform that reveals the depth of innovation and entrepreneurial potential that exists across Nigeria,” Oseni said.
“With this second edition of Hackaholics Accelerator, we are supporting founders beyond the ideation stage and into the process of building sustainable businesses.”
He noted that the selected startups represent some of the most promising solutions emerging from the Hackaholics ecosystem and would receive support to refine their business models and scale their impact.
Also speaking, the Chief Transformation Officer at Wema Bank, Babatunde Mumuni, said the accelerator programme would provide founders with mentorship, strategic guidance and access to networks needed to strengthen their businesses.
“The startups selected for this cohort already have strong foundations, with products already in the market and early traction,” Mumuni said. “Through the accelerator, we will work closely with these founders to refine their models, deepen market traction and prepare them for sustainable scale.”
Participants in the programme will undergo a series of training sessions led by industry experts covering key areas such as strategy, data transformation, investment readiness and startup growth.
Facilitators for the programme include Wema Bank executives such as Femi Akinfolarin, Olamide Jolaoso and Oluwatoyin Adetunji, alongside ecosystem partners including Idowu Akinde, Managing Director of Impact Hub Lagos; Napa Onwusa of B4B Partners; Onaopemipo Dara; Rosemond Phil-Othihiwa, mentor at Google for Startups; Tega Ogigirigi of Africhange; and Ademola Adewuyi.
The accelerator is supported by Wema Bank’s broader innovation infrastructure, including IDEAx Labs, the bank’s innovation and venture platform.
Since its launch in 2019, the Hackaholics initiative has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading youth innovation platforms, attracting over 15,000 applicants and supporting hundreds of digital solutions across various industries.
Through the programme, Wema Bank has disbursed more than $400,000 in funding to young innovators and startup founders across the country, with startups such as Feegor, Myitura and Bunce emerging from previous editions.
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