Talktu Wins $10,000 at Pitch2Win5, Outshines 12 Finalists

Talktu, a Nigerian startup focused on improving speech and language development in children, was awarded the top prize of $10,000 at Pitch2Win5, a high-profile startup competition held in Lagos on July 30, 2025 [1]. Organized by TechCircle, Pitch2Win serves as a critical platform for early-stage, technology-driven startups to showcase innovative solutions, connect with investors, and gain mentorship. The event highlighted the strength of Nigeria’s growing startup ecosystem and drew international interest, including attendees from Japan [1].

Talktu outperformed 12 other finalists in a fiercely competitive selection process that included Billingrails, Case Radar, and Lumi by HiPrep [1]. The startup, co-founded by Sarah Andino, Ibraheem Salako, and Victoria Aigbekean, offers an interactive platform designed to help children develop communication skills through personalized activities. During the award ceremony, Andino emphasized the emotional significance of the win, stating that it fuels their passion to help children—especially those with special needs—to “have a voice and a chance to thrive” [1].

Lumi by HiPrep was another standout at the event, securing both the Japan IVS Delegates’ Choice Award ($3,000) and the Audience Choice Award ($1,000) [1]. As an AI-powered personal tutor for K-12 students, Lumi delivers tailored learning experiences across core subjects and has already been tested with HiPrep’s students. The platform aims to expand its reach through partnerships with schools [1].

The competition has historically played a key role in shaping Nigeria’s tech landscape, with former participants like Reliance Health, Curacel, and Edves collectively raising over $50 million [1]. Talktu’s victory is expected to unlock new opportunities, including mentorship and potential investment, which will help the startup scale its platform and integrate more advanced tools to address a wider range of speech challenges [1].

Ridwan Olalere, CEO of Lemfi and a keynote speaker at the event, offered practical advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of resilience, adaptability, and financial preparedness [1]. His insights resonated with many in the audience, reflecting the broader uncertainties and challenges faced by early-stage startups.

Talktu’s win at Pitch2Win5 reinforces the growing momentum in education technology in Nigeria. With a strong focus on social impact and scalability, the startup aligns with the competition’s mission to identify and support ventures that drive meaningful change [1].

Source: [1] Pitch2Win5: Talktu outshines 12 finalists to win $10,000 1st prize (https://technext24.com/2025/07/31/talktu-wins-10k-at-pitch2win5/)