THE PORTAL OPENS ON 13TH JULY 2026 AND CLOSES ON 30TH AUGUST 2026.
Gem hunt 5.0
From Roots to Riches: Building Nigeria's Next Generation of Entrepreneurs.
PREAMBLE:
Welcome to the 5th edition of Gem Hunt. This is for young Nigerians, aged 15–35, who see opportunity where others see obstacles. Whether you’re running a business from your bedroom, selling at a market stall, leading a community cooperative, or building a startup from scratch, if you’re building, this is for you.
Gem Hunt 5.0 is a high-impact programme built on real competition, market validation, and investor-readiness coaching. Our top finalists will pitch live to a panel of investors and industry leaders. If you have a venture with real potential, this competition was built for you.
Select the stream that best describes you, share your details, and take your shot. This is a platform for builders. If that’s you, your moment is here.
APPLICATION CRITERIA
Eligibility
To apply for Gem Hunt 5.0, you must meet all of the following:
Age: 15 – 35 years at the time of application.
Nationality: Nigerian citizen, resident in Nigeria.
Business Stage: You must have an existing business or start-up venture. From early-stage to growth-stage, your venture must be an MSME that directly addresses Nigeria’s informal economy. Pure concept entries with no evidence of activity will not be considered.
Sector: All MSME segments are welcome. Your venture must demonstrate at least one of the following: inclusion of informal workers into the formal economy, job creation, productivity, local content development, or financial inclusion.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
All applicants must:
- Submit a completed online application via the Gem Hunt 5.0 portal before the closing date.
- Submit a Preliminary Challenge video as outlined below.
- Ensure all content is original and accurately represents your venture.
- Record video submissions in a well-lit environment, with clear audio and high resolution.
Disqualification Notice: Applications that do not meet these criteria, or that contain fabricated, plagiarized, or misleading information, will be automatically disqualified.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Preliminary Challenge: “My Hustle Story”
Submit a 2-minute video that covers:
- Who you are and what your venture does.
- The problem you solve and who you serve.
- Proof of work: Show or explain your product/service in action. We want evidence, not just ideas.
Shortlisted applicants from the Preliminary Stage will be contacted via email or phone for the Primary Challenge Stage.
STAY CONNECTED
For updates, announcements, and competition news, follow us:
Instagram: @bilaaddevelopment
Facebook: @Bilaad Development Trust
X (Twitter): @BilaadDevTrust
LinkedIn: @Bilaad Development Trust