First City Monument Bank has wrapped up its 2025 AgriTech Hackathon, a programme organised in partnership with the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank and HeaveVentures to drive digital evolution, innovation, and sustainability within Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. In a statement released on Wednesday, the bank explained that the initiative forms part of its broader mission to strengthen agritech entrepreneurship and promote technology-driven growth in both the food production and export sectors.
During the event, the bank’s agribusiness team reiterated that the hackathon was established to empower rising innovators by offering access to funding, mentorship, and market linkages. According to the organisers, the long-term objective is to help shape a modern agricultural system that is globally competitive and firmly rooted in technology. HeaveVentures further emphasized the value of collaboration between financial institutions and the tech ecosystem, noting that the hackathon demonstrates how collective action can spark fresh business concepts capable of enhancing productivity and advancing food security across Africa.
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This year’s competition hosted seven startups representing various stages of the agricultural ecosystem, each showcasing solutions targeted at boosting production efficiency, sustainability, and market reach. Following multiple rounds of pitching and mentorship, Qiqi Farms claimed the top position. Farm Monitor and Tuplant secured second and third place respectively, while four additional participating startups were awarded consolation grants worth one million naira each for their innovative contributions.
The bank added that the hackathon underscores its ongoing commitment to building a resilient food system through innovation support, expanded partnerships, and increased access to sustainable financing. For MSMEs, particularly those in agritech and primary production, initiatives like this provide opportunities to adopt new technologies, enhance market visibility, and strengthen investor confidence across the industry.
