Southeast Business Grant 2026: Apply for the Onitsha Business Hangout Open Pitch Challenge (₦20 Million Cash Prize)

Are you a business owner or startup founder in Southeast Nigeria looking for funding, mentorship, and business exposure? The Onitsha Business Hangout (OBH), in partnership with The Business Clinic, has officially opened applications for the 2026 Open Pitch Grant Challenge for entrepreneurs across the Southeast.

Onitsha Business Hangout Open Pitch Grant Challenge 2026 for Southeast Nigeria entrepreneurs — Entrepreneurs and startup founders in Southeast Nigeria can apply for the Onitsha Business Hangout Open Pitch Grant Challenge 2026 with ₦20 million cash prizes, mentorship, and business support opportunities.

According to the organisers, selected entrepreneurs and microbusiness owners will compete for funding support, mentorship opportunities, expert business guidance, and access to networking opportunities that can help scale their businesses.

The grant programme is designed to support startups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs with sustainable business ideas capable of creating jobs and expanding market reach within Nigeria.

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₦20 Million Cash Prize Up for Grabs

The 2026 edition of the Open Pitch Challenge comes with a massive ₦20 million cash prize pool for successful applicants and outstanding business pitches.

The organisers stated that previous editions have supported several entrepreneurs, and this year’s programme aims to empower even more business owners across the Southeast region.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for the Southeast Business Grant Challenge, applicants must meet the following conditions:

Must live and operate in Southeast Nigeria
Must be 18 years and above
Business must have been active for at least one year
Open to both product-based and service-based businesses
Registered and unregistered businesses can apply
Unregistered businesses must provide proof of operation such as receipts, utility bills, or lease agreements

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Applicants are expected to demonstrate:

A clear and sustainable business plan
Genuine need for funding
Potential for business growth and job creation
Clean business record with no fraudulent or illegal activities

Required Documents

Applicants are required to prepare and submit the following documents:

Valid ID card (NIN, Voter’s Card, Driver’s License, or International Passport)
Recent passport photograph
Clear photo of business premises
One to two-page business summary
Pitch deck using the provided template

How to Apply for the Southeast Business Grant

Interested applicants can apply online through the official application portal below:

http://onitshabusinesshangout.com/apply

Application Deadline

The deadline for submission of applications is:

10th May 2025 by 10:00 PM

Applicants are advised to submit their applications early before the portal closes.

Onitsha Business Hangout 2026 Event Dates

The organisers also released the official event calendar for July 2026:

July 4, 2026 — Open Pitch Event
July 5, 2026 — Onitsha Business Hangout Networking Event

The event will feature networking sessions, mentorship, exhibitions, panel discussions, and collaboration opportunities for entrepreneurs and business professionals across Nigeria.

For Nigerians in the Southeast looking for grants, startup funding, SME support, or business empowerment opportunities, this is one opportunity worth exploring before the deadline closes.

For more business grants, empowerment programmes, scholarships, internships, and Nigerian opportunities, keep visiting CutoffMark.ng.