The gathering of eagles signifies a thing of importance and an attraction that is not to be overlooked. The Council for Business Innovation and Excellence(CBIE) has set itself apart as an event that crafts unique solutions and refines individuals’ mindset.
This year’s cohort of participants includes rising startup founders, product managers, serial entrepreneurs, supply chain experts, venture capitalists etc each bringing forward products that speak to existing demand. With applications vetted through multiple stages, only the most compelling business ideas have reached the event, making the opportunity for media and investor discovery particularly focused.
The 2024 edition of the Council for Business Innovation and Excellence(CBIE) brought together an elite selection of participants drawn from over 1,800 applicants nationwide. Only the top-performing 5% progressed to the final stage, a cohort that reflects the very best of Nigeria’s emerging business, product and tech talent. These participants stood out not only for the originality of their ideas, but for the depth of their execution. From robust prototypes to fully launched platforms, each entry demonstrated clear market insight, user validation, and a strong potential for scale. Whether tackling challenges in fintech, healthcare, logistics, or education, these ventures went beyond surface-level innovation, offering well-researched, technically sound, and commercially viable solutions.
These participants were marked by their strategic clarity and command of both business and technology. Many came with cross-functional teams blending product, design, and technical expertise, while others represented solo founders who had bootstrapped their ideas to impressive traction. They were distinguished by not only their creativity, but the ability to frame their solutions around measurable impact, from customer adoption to operational scalability. Their presentations reflected maturity, not just in execution but in their grasp of industry context, user behavior, and long-term value creation. As a group, they signaled the rising standard of entrepreneurial excellence in the country.
The event has earned its mark by each of the detailed structuresput in place. However, the rigor behind the scenes especially in the selection of judges brings it to the limelight. Chosen through a carefully curated process, each judge brings both industry expertise and industry recognition. From venture partners at top-tier firms to senior product leads at globally scaled tech companies, the panel combines strategic insight with hands-on operating experience. Profiles are made publicly available via media channels and the official site, offering transparency into the judging process and underscoring the event’s commitment to credibility.
This blend of high-potential participants and a deeply vetted panel has made the event not just a milestone for early-stage innovators but a stage that industry leaders and observers continue to watch closely.
It has once again proven to be more than just an exhibit of ideas but as a true launchpad for Nigeria’s most promising entrepreneurial talent. Each edition reflected a new level of ambition, with participants bringing not only fresh thinking but a clear commitment to building real, scalable solutions. As the event draws to a close, it leaves behind a glimpse into the future of business and technology on the continent.