Ighodalo Labs, a venture studio, is set to bring 10 startup founders before investors and industry professionals at The Founders Buffet, a pitching session scheduled to take place on November 7, 2026, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The event provides selected founders with the opportunity to pitch their businesses and receive valuable feedback on various aspects of company building, including unit economics, product development, and distribution. Unlike traditional pitch competitions, which typically centre on monetary prizes, the session will prioritise practical insights from experienced individuals in startup building and investing. The names of the 10 participating startups have not yet been announced, as Ighodalo Labs' screening team is still finalising the selection.

The gathering is expected to accommodate approximately 80 founders, investors, and ecosystem delegates, with the organisers describing the format as an intimate networking session. The location places the event in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State and one of Nigeria's largest cities, outside Lagos, the commercial hub where a large share of the country's venture funding and startup activity has historically been concentrated.

The confirmed panel includes investment professionals from VestedWorld, Microtraction, and Lagos Angel Venture Associates (LAVA), as well as representatives from Odu'a Investment Company, SWIT, She Leads Africa, and other organisations within the startup ecosystem. Among the panelists are Overcomer Fasan and Chinenye Nwigwe, investment associates at VestedWorld; Ryan K. Uche-Tasie, an intelligence analyst at LAVA; and Taiwo Lawal, an investment and legal analyst at Microtraction. Other notable participants include David Adeleke, founder of Zeeh Africa and convener of The ISF Forum, and Yemi Ajao, group chief investment officer at Odu'a Investment Company. The lineup spans several parts of the investment landscape: VestedWorld and Microtraction are venture firms focused on early-stage, technology-enabled companies in African markets, LAVA operates as an angel network, and Odu'a Investment Company is an investment holding company owned by the governments of Nigeria's Southwestern states, while She Leads Africa is a platform focused on supporting African women in business. For pitching founders, the composition brings venture funds, angel capital, and regional state-linked investment into a single room.

Desmond Aghughu, studio lead at Ighodalo Labs, said the initiative is designed to help early-stage founders demonstrate traction and connect with potential partners within the wider startup ecosystem.

"Building venture infrastructure requires deliberate collaboration. Our focus is helping early-stage builders prove real traction and connecting them with high-conviction ecosystem partners," Aghughu said.

The event is supported by a range of organisations, including VestedWorld, Microtraction, LAVA, Odu'a Investment Company, She Leads Africa, Nesta Co-Workspace, and L.E.G.I.T Innovation Hub, combining venture investors with co-working and innovation spaces. Technext serves as the exclusive technology media partner for the event.

The Founders Buffet will run from 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at a private venue in Ibadan, with the address to be provided only to confirmed guests. The identities of the 10 selected startups remain the main outstanding detail ahead of the session, with the screening process still underway. Additional information is available on the event's website.