NAPE-YP EnergyTech Pitch‑a‑Thon
Pitch your energy-tech idea to industry leaders, investors and mentors. We are looking for young professionals with innovative solutions to real challenges across Nigeria’s energy ecosystem — from oil and gas to clean energy, climate, digital and workforce development.
Grow your idea into an energy venture.
The NAPE-YP EnergyTech Pitch-a-Thon is the Young Professionals’ innovation competition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE). It brings together young professionals with original, technology-driven solutions to clearly defined challenges and opportunities in the energy sector.
Shortlisted finalists pitch live to the Evaluation Committee in Lagos. Winners receive funding to develop, implement and advance their solutions, with ongoing support through the programme’s post-award framework.
Not just oil and gas, not just software
Innovative solutions addressing broader challenges across the energy ecosystem — energy access, sustainability, climate solutions, digital transformation, workforce development, education, mentorship, local content and energy entrepreneurship — may be considered, provided they demonstrate a clear and measurable connection to the energy industry.
The NAPE YP EnergyTech Pitch Contest
The NAPE Young Professionals (YP) are thrilled to introduce the NAPE YP EnergyTech Pitch-A-Ton Competition, a groundbreaking initiative designed to inspire innovation and promote awareness in the energy sector. This inaugural idea competition is focused on discovering and empowering emerging leaders who are passionate about advancing the energy transition in Nigeria.
By fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship among young professionals, the competition aims to accelerate the development of transformative ideas and ventures that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Join us in shaping the future of Nigeria’s energy landscape!
Call to Innovation Opens
The application form opens for individuals and teams.
Submission Deadline
Last day to submit your application form and pitch deck.
Selection Notification
Shortlisted finalists are notified and confirm their participation.
Pitch Final Contest at NAPE AICE
Finalists pitch live to the Evaluation Committee in Lagos.
Official 2026 Sponsor of the NAPE YP EnergyTech Pitch-a-Thon
Heirs Energies is Africa’s largest indigenous-owned energy company, headquartered in Nigeria and led by a board and management team with significant regional and global experience in production, exploration and value creation in the resources sector. Heirs Energies is the sole operator of OML 17, in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.
A Stronger 8 Focus Track Structure
Your solution must align with at least one of the Seven Focus Tracks below.
Oil & Gas Technology Solutions
Exploration, drilling, production, reservoir management, well intervention, facilities, integrity, decommissioning.
Digital Energy, AI & Data Solutions
AI/ML, analytics, digital twins, automation, IoT, predictive maintenance, dashboards, decision-support systems.
Energy Chain & Operational Optimization
Production-to-market efficiency, logistics, asset optimization, supply chain, transportation and distribution.
Energy Security & Energy Access
Reliability, distributed energy, storage, mini-grids, infrastructure resilience and affordable access.
Climate, Carbon & Environmental Solutions
Methane, emissions, CCUS, flaring, spills, remediation, waste management and environmental monitoring.
Clean & Alternative Energy Solutions
Solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal, hydrogen and other emerging energy sources.
Local Content, Industrialization & Energy Enterprise
Nigerian manufacturing, local supply chains, indigenous technology, service businesses and local-content solutions.
Eligible solutions may include, but are not limited to:
Who can apply, and how.
Age
Applicants must be Young Professionals between the ages of 23 and 40 years. For team applications, all core team members are expected to meet the eligibility requirements.
Individual and team applications
Applications are open to both individuals and teams. Team applications must consist of a minimum of two (2) members.
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Teams may comprise individuals from diverse professional, academic and technical backgrounds. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is strongly encouraged, particularly where it enhances the technical, commercial or social value of the proposed solution.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Applicants are encouraged to promote diversity, equity and balanced representation within their teams. Participation across disciplines, backgrounds and genders is strongly encouraged.
Energy-sector relevance
The proposed solution must address a clearly defined problem, challenge or opportunity within the energy sector and align with at least one of the designated focus tracks.
Innovation and technology application
Proposed solutions must demonstrate a meaningful element of innovation, technology application or new approaches to solving energy-sector challenges.
Stage of development
Applications are welcome from solutions at the idea, proof-of-concept, prototype, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), pilot or early-market stage. Solutions that have already achieved significant commercial scale are not eligible.
Originality and ownership
Applicants must have the right to present the submitted solution. Entries should represent the original work of the applicant or team and must not knowingly infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party.
Application requirement
All interested applicants must complete and submit the official NAPE-YP EnergyTech Pitch-a-Thon application form within the stipulated application period. Incomplete or late submissions may not be considered.
Pitch deck requirement
Every application must be accompanied by a pitch deck clearly presenting the proposed solution. See the minimum checklist below.
Acceptance of competition terms
By submitting an application, applicants agree to comply with the rules, timelines, evaluation procedures and other requirements governing the competition. NAPE-YP reserves the right to verify information provided and to disqualify any submission found to contain false, misleading or materially inaccurate information.
Finalist selection
Eligible applications will be evaluated by the NAPE-YP EnergyTech Pitch-a-Thon Evaluation Committee in accordance with the published evaluation criteria. Only the highest-ranking entries will be shortlisted for the final Pitch Competition.
Finalist availability
Shortlisted applicants must be available to participate physically in the Final Competition in Lagos on the communicated date, and confirm participation within the stipulated period. Failure to do so may result in the position being offered to another applicant.
Travel and logistics
Applicants and teams are responsible for their transportation, accommodation and other personal logistics required to attend the final Pitch Competition in Lagos.
Post-award commitment
Funding awarded is intended specifically to support the development, implementation and advancement of the winning solutions. Awardees join the post-award monitoring framework, which may include:
- Periodic project progress reports
- Updates on the utilisation of awarded funds
- Milestone and impact reporting
- Project demonstrations or review sessions
- Participation in future NAPE-YP impact showcases
What your pitch deck must cover.
Every application must be accompanied by a pitch deck clearly presenting the proposed solution. At a minimum, it should address these thirteen points.
Problem or opportunity being addressed
Proposed solution
Target users, customers or beneficiaries
Energy-sector relevance
Innovation and unique value proposition
Current stage of development
Technical and operational feasibility
Implementation strategy
Expected impact
Business or revenue model, where applicable
Commercial viability
Scalability and growth potential
Key milestones and next steps
How entries are judged.
Eligible submissions are assessed by the Evaluation Committee using six criteria.
Innovation and uniqueness
The originality, creativity and distinctiveness of the proposed solution.
Energy-sector relevance and impact
The significance of the problem, relevance of the solution to the energy industry, and potential contribution to sustainable development.
Feasibility and implementation readiness
The technical and operational practicality of implementing the proposed solution.
Commercial viability and scalability
The potential to develop into a sustainable venture, attract users or customers, generate value and scale beyond its initial application.
Team capability
The team’s ability, experience, complementary skills and commitment to successfully develop and implement the solution.
Quality of pitch
For shortlisted finalists: the clarity, persuasiveness and overall quality of the presentation and responses during the Pitch Competition.
Finalists on the AICE stage.
Applications close 28 October 2026.
Complete the official application form and attach your pitch deck. Finalists pitch live in Lagos on 10 November 2026 at 9am.