Female Entrepreneurs Win ₦10 Million in FirstGem Spark A Gem Pitch-A-Thon Challenge

Female entrepreneurs received a major boost as the FirstGem Spark A Gem Pitch-A-Thon Challenge concluded with winners sharing a total of ₦10 million in grant funding to expand their businesses.

The competition brought together women-led businesses from sectors including catering, beauty, logistics, and agriculture, providing participants with an opportunity to pitch their business ideas before a panel of judges. The initiative aims to support female entrepreneurs by providing access to funding, mentorship, and a supportive business network.

At the end of the competition, the top three entrepreneurs were awarded cash grants of ₦5 million, ₦3 million, and ₦2 million, respectively, to help scale their ventures, strengthen operations, and create more economic opportunities within their communities.

Organisers said the challenge reflects FirstGem’s commitment to empowering women through practical financial support rather than just advocacy. Beyond the grant awards, the programme also seeks to equip female business owners with the knowledge, tools, and community needed to build sustainable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development.

The organisers described the atmosphere throughout the event as energetic and inspiring, with participants showcasing innovative ideas and demonstrating the resilience and creativity of women entrepreneurs across different industries.

They congratulated the winners and commended every participant for presenting bold business solutions, noting that the quality of pitches highlighted the growing potential of women owned enterprises in Nigeria.

The Spark A Gem Pitch-A-Thon Challenge forms part of FirstGem’s broader efforts to promote financial inclusion and entrepreneurship among women by creating opportunities that enable them to access capital, grow their businesses, generate employment, and strengthen their role in driving economic growth. Organisers expressed optimism that the beneficiaries would use the grants to expand their operations and inspire more women to pursue entrepreneurship with confidence.