Breet launches $10,000 Grant to Back African Innovators

Crypto exchange platform Breet has announced a $10,000 grant to support African technology founders.

Dubbed Breet Builder Grant, the program will provide selected builders with funding support, business exposure, and opportunities to connect with investors and industry leaders at Africa Technology Expo (ATE) 2026 in Lagos.

Africa’s tech ecosystem has boomed since 2019, with startups emerging across the continent, with Nigeria being one of the frontline markets. However, compared with other ecosystems, the continent has a lot to catch up on.  

Data indicates that more than 70% of African startups fail within their first five years, with capital shortage being a primary driver of failure. Beyond initial shortages, many startups burn through capital too quickly due to poor financial planning and a lack of mentorship.

“We’re at a point where African startups don’t need ideas alone; they also need the infrastructure and support to ship. The Builder Grant is about backing teams already building and helping them go further, faster,” Vivian Mbene, COO, Breet, told Condia in an exclusive chat.

Breet Builder Grant Wants to Bridge Africa’s Tech Funding Gap

This initiative aims to bridge that gap and support promising innovators building solutions for Africa. Builder’s grant targets builders in fintech, crypto, stablecoins, and payments. Beyond funding, recipients can pitch their ideas live to stakeholders at the Expo, creating opportunities for partnerships and future investment.

Mbene says interventions like this are crucial because they help young businesses tackle limited access to financing, low visibility, and barriers to entering larger markets. Even where strong ideas and market demand exist, many founders struggle to attract investors or secure the partnerships required to scale.

Eligibility for Breet Builder Grant

Applicants are expected to meet the following criteria:

• Building in fintech, crypto, stablecoins, or payments
• Product already launched or in active market use
• Clear growth potential and commercial use case
• Readiness to integrate Breet’s API
• Availability to pitch at Africa Technology Expo 2026
• Apply on or before May 31st.

The programme also includes exposure at Africa Technology Expo (ATE) 2026, where beneficiaries will have the opportunity to pitch to investors, enterprise executives, and ecosystem leaders in Lagos. Scheduled for June 26–27, 2026, the event will host more than 7,000 participants, including founders, policymakers, business executives, and investors from across Africa and beyond.

The OTC Exchange Facilitating Financial Trading Without Friction

Founded in 2021 and based in Lagos, Breet is an automated OTC crypto exchange run by Inbreetic Technologies Limited. Its focus is simple: let people convert digital assets to local fiat without typical trading friction.

Breet specialises in crypto-to-cash conversions, allowing users to sell Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and more directly to Nigerian bank accounts or mobile wallets in under five minutes. The crypto exchange stands out by eliminating P2P trading entirely and automating the entire exchange process, replacing manual buyer negotiations and partner searches. This delivers a seamless off-ramp for anyone looking to cash out.

The platform supports cashout for 40+ cryptocurrencies to Naira and Cedi, plus swaps across 170+ assets. It also serves freelancers and businesses with crypto invoicing and a VIP desk for high-volume trades, settled automatically in local currency.

On the security and accessibility front, Breet uses non-custodial wallets to hold assets securely until conversion is complete, and its mobile app is available on both iOS and Android. The platform has grown to serve over 250,000 verified users across Africa, reflecting steady demand for simple, reliable crypto off-ramp solutions on the continent.

Interested founders can apply here.

Last updated: April 24, 2026