Tech News
Nnewi Hosts Anambra Startup Weekend 2025: Driving Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship
Nnewi Hosts Anambra Startup Weekend: A Spark of Innovation at Ice Hub
Written by Isaac Emeti Ice
The city of Nnewi once again proved that it is not only the home of commerce, but also a rising hub for technology and innovation. From September 18–20, 2025, Ice hub Nnewi played host to the Anambra Startup Weekend, an intense 3-day bootcamp proudly sponsored by the Solution Innovation District (SID) under the leadership of His Excellency, Charles Chukwuma Soludo
The event brought together 65 young innovators and tech enthusiasts from different hubs, incubation spaces, and communities across Nnewi City. Out of 40 elevator pitches on the opening day, 10 bold and promising ideas made it to the top, including:
- CloseDoc
- Corpers Space
- Heartbeat
- Metabolic Apps
- MediChat
- Anambra Digi Market
- Nevra
- Comfort Cravings
- WellPoint
- SmartFood (Nuvia)
These solutions cut across healthcare, food technology, digital marketplaces, and lifestyle innovation, proving that the Nnewi tech ecosystem is rich with creativity and problem solvers.
Building, Learning, and Competing
Day two saw the teams regroup, refine their ideas, and prepare for real world pitching. Mentors from the ecosystem guided participants through product validation, business modeling, and market research. A highlight of the day was the Marshmallow Challenge, a design thinking exercise that tested teamwork and decision making under pressure.
The Anambra Digi Market team emerged top with an impressive 28m tower, showing discipline and creativity in action.
Participants were well catered for, with tea breaks and lunch sessions that kept energy high. More importantly, the weekend reflected the commitment of the Anambra State Government and SID in supporting startups with both structure and culture.
Two Rounds of Judging
The final day carried both excitement and tension. A surprise call for non team leaders to deliver elevator pitches set the tone for the grand finale. Startups then faced two rigorous rounds of judging:
• First Round: SID side judges assessed ideas internally.
• Second Round: A panel of external experts in business, finance, and research evaluated based on innovation, uniqueness, market readiness, depth of research, team strength, and sustainability.
In the end, three winners emerged:
1. Corpers Space
2. MediChat
3. WellPoint
While there were tears and celebrations, the atmosphere was charged with one truth: everyone left better than they came.
Corpers Space wins Anambra Startup Weekend 2025 at Ice Hub Nnewi.
MediChat secures 1st runner-up at the 2025 Anambra Startup Weekend, Ice Hub Nnewi.
WellPoint takes 2nd runner-up at the 2025 Anambra Startup Weekend, Ice Hub Nnewi.
Why It Matters for Sponsors and Partners
The Anambra Startup Weekend showed the power of collaboration between government, hubs, and private partners. It was not just about ideas, it was about building an ecosystem that creates jobs, drives innovation, and empowers young people.
For sponsors and future partners, the value is clear:
• Direct brand visibility before 65+ young innovators, 10 startup teams, and the wider digital community.
• Association with impact; solving problems in healthcare, food, and digital trade.
• Long term talent pipeline; startups from events like this are the ones who grow into tomorrow’s unicorns.
As the Icehub and Solution Innovation District continue to anchor the Nnewi tech ecosystem, more investors, companies, and development organizations will find fertile ground to support and scale innovation.
Special Thanks
Special appreciation goes to Chinwe Okoli, Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation; Ike Anajemba SSA to the Governor; the SID team; and the Ice Hub crew for their tireless work.
The South East is no longer waiting to catch up, it is building its own story of innovation.
The Anambra Startup Weekend at Ice Hub Nnewi has planted seeds that will grow into the future of entrepreneurship, digital economy, and ecosystem building in Nigeria.
Nnewi is ready. Anambra is rising. And the future belongs to those who build.
