The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has announced Come Again Foods as the overall winner of the fourth edition of its Prize for Innovation (NPI 4.0), earning a combined prize of $100,000.
The company, which produces packaged snacks from locally sourced agricultural commodities, emerged winner at the NPI 4.0 Demo Day, themed “Building for Impact.”
The competition attracted 6,000 applications, from which 12 finalists were selected to pitch their business solutions to a panel of experts drawn from Nigeria’s business, investment and innovation sectors.
The fourth edition focused on startups operating in manufacturing, climate and food security, and healthcare, with the aim of promoting innovation, economic growth and sustainable development.
The programme offered a combined prize pool of $275,000, comprising $220,000 from NSIA, $45,000 from Cascador and $10,000 from Wema Bank.
Protein Kapital, which produces protein and biofertilisers through insect farming and the processing of organic waste, came second, receiving a combined prize of $70,000.
Instant Rad Inc., an artificial intelligence-powered teleradiology platform connecting hospitals and diagnostic centres with radiologists across Africa, placed third, winning $50,000.
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 in Cascador impact prizes, while Eight Medical, Smartel AgriTech and Tryctor received $4,000 each from Wema Bank.
Beyond the cash awards, eligible winners will have access to 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.
The programme will cover business strategy, leadership, corporate governance, financial management, market expansion and investor readiness.
Speaking at the Demo Day, NSIA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, said the quality of solutions presented by the finalists demonstrated the depth of innovation and entrepreneurial talent in Nigeria.
He said the initiative was designed not only to recognise promising ideas but also to connect entrepreneurs with the capital, expertise, networks and partnerships needed to build sustainable and scalable businesses.
Umar-Sadiq added that the expanded opportunities created through partnerships would help Nigerian innovators develop practical solutions to critical economic and social challenges.
He congratulated the winners and finalists, expressing optimism that their businesses would grow, create jobs and deliver meaningful economic and social benefits.
Since its inception, the NSIA Prize for Innovation has attracted more than 20,000 applications across its first three editions from startups in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The participating businesses have covered several sectors, including financial technology, agriculture, healthcare, education, transportation and logistics.
Through funding, technical assistance, entrepreneurial training, mentorship and strategic partnerships, the programme seeks to strengthen business models, expand operations and improve startups’ readiness for investment.
NPI 4.0 builds on this foundation with a stronger focus on manufacturing, climate and food security, and healthcare, sectors considered critical to job creation, improved livelihoods and economic resilience.
The programme follows a five-stage process comprising pre-selection, an accelerator programme, Mini Demo Day, Demo Day and post-competition support.
Under the structure, selected startups undergo capacity-building and business development sessions before pitching their solutions to experts.
Winners and eligible finalists then proceed to further training, mentorship, investor engagement and funding opportunities through NSIA and its partners.
