Demo Day: 31 August 2026

Tech Hub Corporate Innovation Challenge

Build solutions corporates can use. Get commercial-ready.

Tech Hub Harare is inviting innovators, builders, startups and SME solution teams to build practical solutions around real business pain points and prepare them for corporate, bank and ecosystem partner review.

Apply as an Innovator Corporate Participation

US$100

selected innovator access fee

5 prizes

Pecron awards

31 Aug

demo day

Up to $5k

cloud credits*

Challenge dashboard

From idea noise to commercial-ready opportunity.

AUG
2026

30+

selected innovators targeted

demo slots targeted

Pecron prize categories

$5k

Amazon cloud credit opportunity*

Focus areas

Payments Collections Onboarding Marketplace SME tools Deposit mobilisation Customer experience

The pathway

Applications are open for commercial-ready builders.

The challenge supports innovators with practical products, pilots or prototypes and prepares selected teams to present professionally to corporates, banks and ecosystem partners on Demo Day.

Apply

Submit your project, team, demo status and corporate use case.

Review

Tech Hub reviews each application for solution fit, readiness, team capability and pilot potential.

Join cohort

Accepted innovators pay US$100 and access workspace and mentorship.

Readiness sprint

Prepare demo, solution brief, pricing and 90-day pilot proposal.

Demo Day

Finalists present on 31 August to selected corporates and partners.

Next steps

Tech Hub supports follow-up conversations, pilot scoping and partner engagement where there is fit.

Who should apply

For builders with practical, demonstrable solutions.

We welcome teams that can show a working demo, pilot-ready product, live solution, or credible prototype that can be prepared for a professional showcase.

Fintech & payments

Payments, collections, reconciliation, settlement, onboarding and merchant tools.

SME tools

Invoicing, compliance, stock, sales capture, cash-up and bankability records.

Edtech & healthtech

School payments, care platforms, provider marketplaces and customer experience tools.

Energy, logistics & marketplaces

Asset finance readiness, delivery, trade, marketplace and operational workflow solutions.

Fees & access

Transparent participation options.

Choose the participation pathway that fits your role: innovator, observer, corporate reviewer, sponsor or ecosystem partner.

Innovator

US$100

Selected innovator access fee

✓ Workspace access at Tech Hub during the challenge
✓ Internet access
✓ Mentorship and guidance sessions
✓ Commercial-readiness support
✓ Demo preparation for shortlisted teams

Selected teams receive challenge access and readiness support. Demo Day finalists will be confirmed through the official review process.

Observer / ecosystem

From US$25

Attend, learn and network

✓ Student / ecosystem observer: US$25
✓ Professional observer: US$50
✓ Demo Day attendance
✓ Networking access
✓ Public showcase sessions

Observer passes do not include private corporate review sessions or finalist data packs.

Corporate / partner

From US$250

Access curated projects

✓ Corporate observer pass: US$250
✓ Corporate review seat: US$500
✓ Innovation partner: US$1,500
✓ Category sponsor: US$5,000
✓ Anchor partner: US$10,000

View corporate packages

Prize awards

Five Pecron prize categories plus cloud credit opportunities.

Pecron prizes are in-kind innovation awards. Winning teams may also be assisted to apply for Amazon cloud credits worth up to US$5,000, subject to application approval and provider eligibility terms. Sponsor-funded cash prizes may be added by category partners.

Apply for a prize category

Prize 1

Pecron E3600

Best Commercial-Ready Solution

Prize 2

Pecron E2400

Best Corporate Integration Potential

Prize 3

Pecron E1000

Best SME / Informal Sector Solution

Prize 4

Pecron E600

Best Youth / Student Innovation

Prize 5

Pecron E300

Best Demo / Prototype Progress

Cloud credit opportunity

Up to US$5,000 Amazon cloud credits*

Winners may receive Tech Hub support to apply for Amazon cloud credits worth up to US$5,000. Cloud credit awards are not guaranteed and remain subject to the applicant meeting the provider’s eligibility, approval and usage requirements.

For corporates & partners

Meet curated solutions prepared for corporate review.

Corporates, banks and institutions can participate as observers, reviewers, sponsors or challenge partners and engage solutions prepared around practical business use cases.

Corporate engagement options

US$100/project: Finalist solution profile

US$250/project: Private follow-up meeting

US$500/project: Extended project information pack

US$1,000/project: Pilot scoping session

Custom: Pilot support and integration coordination, depending on scope

Corporate packages

Package	Fee	Includes
Observer Pass	US$250	Demo Day attendance + networking
Review Seat	US$500	Attendance + finalist profiles
Innovation Partner	US$1,500	Judge/reviewer role + solution briefs
Challenge Sponsor	US$3,000	Brand visibility + priority meetings
Category Sponsor	US$5,000	Own a focus area + prize/category branding
Anchor Partner	US$10,000	Custom challenge theme + first-look access

Follow-up meetings, pilot discussions and integration support can be arranged after Demo Day where there is mutual interest.

31 August 2026