An artificial intelligence (AI) driven digital healthcare startup, Nyla AI, has emerged winner of the second edition of the Uplift Hackathon held during this year’s Global Leadership Roundtable.
At the event, five emerging startups took turns pitching their innovations before a panel of industry experts as part of efforts to strengthen Africa’s early-stage innovation pipeline and provide visibility for young tech entrepreneurs. Nyla AI was announced winner at the end of the session, with judges noting the clarity of its solution and its potential to improve healthcare access across the continent.
The judging panel included HR Leader, Ayobami Akanle; Tech futurist and founder, Dawn AI Study, Victor Ogunbiyi; Telecommunications Specialist, Hassana Bulus; and Information security and infrastructure professional, Iheanacho Josiah.
Josiah, while commending the quality of this year’s entries, said African innovators continue to demonstrate the capacity to build globally relevant solutions. “Tech gives Africans the ability to create without borders. A strong idea from Lagos can impact the world, and that is what we are seeing today,” he said.
Founder of Nyla AI, Gideon Ogunbanjo, expressed gratitude after the announcement, noting that the recognition validates the team’s work. “This is the first time I am pitching the brand in public, and winning this round means a lot to me and to our entire team.
“What we are building today will shape how people live, learn and stay healthy tomorrow. We believe AI will transform how healthcare is delivered and make it more accessible for millions,” he said.
Zendit, a carbon-free logistics startup focused on solving last-mile delivery challenges for e-commerce businesses, finished as first runner-up. VerionX (Ulo), a gamified learning platform aimed at motivating students and linking classroom learning to career opportunities, came third.
Other finalists were Talk Beta, a communication-enhancement app designed to help creators and professionals strengthen their delivery, and RoamRogue, a platform connecting founders, investors and opportunities through a trusted data index.
Co-founders of Uplift, Emma Olorunsheyi and Ayodeji Niyi-Adesola, said the initiative was created to ensure that young innovators no longer work in isolation but gain access to mentorship, support systems and visibility. “We are committed to building a pipeline of support for early-stage startups. We want young innovators to realise that their ideas are not too small, and that the challenges they face are not unique,” they said.
Nyla AI received a ₦1 million grant as overall winner, while Zendit and VerionX (Ulo) took home ₦300,000 and ₦200,000 respectively.
