If you thought African startups were running out of problems to solve, you only needed to spend some time at Moonshot 2026’s Startup stage in Lagos to reconsider.

Fertitude, a healthtech startup, pitched its digital platform that combines reproductive health tracking, AI-powered guidance, and access to healthcare specialists. Lena, an edtech startup, showed how it uses AI-powered games to help children learn subjects such as mathematics and science. Qiqi Farms pitched its technology-driven food distribution business, which connects farmers to markets and uses cold-chain infrastructure to deliver fresh produce.

These startups, alongside seven others, made the final ten of TC Battlefield 2026, TechCabal’s annual startup pitching competition, sponsored this year by Yango Group, the Dubai-based technology company. The competition allowed founders to pitch their businesses to investors and compete for $17,500 in equity-free funding.

After the pitches, Acecore won, taking home the $10,000 grand prize. The Nigerian climate-tech startup is building locally manufactured, AI-powered solar battery systems through its Powercell product. Paired with its Powercore app, the system allows users to monitor energy performance and manage their power supply, offering an alternative to unreliable electricity.

Supplya, a Nigerian startup that helps small retailers source inventory from manufacturers and access interest-free buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) financing, was first runner-up, winning $5,000. Navidyn Limited finished third, taking home $2,500.

TC Battlefield is an annual startup pitching competition, held as part of the Moonshot conference. It gives early-stage African startups a platform to showcase their products and compete for equity-free funding and other growth opportunities. The competition has become a recurring feature of Moonshot, with Ulé Homes, a Nigerian proptech startup that helps people finance rent payments, winning last year’s edition.

Founders who missed out this year have an opportunity for redemption. TC Battlefield will return at next year’s Moonshot.