Apply to PITCHSTAR COHORT 5

APPLICATIONS OPEN

PITCHSTAR COHORT 5

Location: Kano, Nigeria

Duration: 6 months

Selected Founders: 10

Application Deadline: 4 October 2026

ABOUT PITCHSTAR

PitchStar has been building the startup pipeline in Kano by supporting ambitious young founders, helping early-stage entrepreneurs develop and validate their ideas, strengthen their business models and build ventures with the potential to scale.

PitchStar is now expanding its reach across Northern Nigeria, while Kano remains an important part of the programme’s journey.

For Cohort 5, PitchStar is looking for 10 visionary founders in Kano who are ready to transform raw potential into validated and scalable businesses.

WHAT SELECTED FOUNDERS WILL GET

The 6-month programme will include:

1. 3 Months Bootcamp
2. 3 Months Fieldwork
3. Global Mentorship
4. Funding Access
5. Access to a growing network across 6 Northern states
6. Expert mentorship and business support
7. Opportunity to pitch at the Grand Demo Day

SECTORS OF INTEREST

Applications are welcome from founders building innovative solutions in areas including:

Agri-tech

Fintech

Health-tech

Clean-tech

Ed-tech

Logistics

Media

Other high-impact sectors

WHO CAN APPLY?

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

1. Be under 35 years old.
2. Be running an idea-stage startup or a startup that is less than 2 years old.
3. Be based in Kano or able to participate physically in Kano.
4. Youth-led, women-led and Persons With Disabilities (PLWD)-led startups are especially encouraged to apply.

WHY APPLY?

PitchStar is designed to help founders move from ideas and early-stage businesses towards stronger, validated and more investable ventures.

Through its 3-tier validation process, expert mentorship, fieldwork and access to a growing entrepreneurial network, selected founders will have the opportunity to test their business models, strengthen their ventures and prepare for growth.

The programme will culminate in an opportunity to pitch at the Grand Demo Day.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

4 October 2026

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and eligible founders should complete the official application form before the deadline.

APPLY HERE – PitchStar Cohort 5

Kano founders, this is an opportunity to take your idea from potential to validation, investment readiness and scale.