Thousands of investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers will be at LSE 2.0 in June.
Over the years, Lagos has established itself as a central hub of innovation, drawing attention from investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers worldwide.
This year, the Lagos Startup Expo 2.0 returns to the vibrant city with heightened expectations. Set to convene thousands of attendees, with attendee registrations skyrocketing since its announcement, the event promises to offer a wide-angle view of how startups and the broader business landscape navigate growth and opportunities in the African continent.
Whether you are attending the event for the first time or you are a returning participant, here are six things to look forward to at this year’s gathering.
Over 100 startups showcasing innovation
The heart of this year’s expo lies on the exhibition floor. With over 100 startups and businesses in attendance, visitors can expect a cross-sector display of African entrepreneurship, from fintech and logistics to agritech and artificial intelligence. These ventures represent early-stage startups and more established companies attempting to scale across markets within and beyond the continent.
A stage for Africa-focused dialogue
Unlike traditional conferences with back-to-back keynotes, the Lagos Startup Expo’s main stage prioritises real-time interaction. All attendees can engage directly with founders and industry professionals, ask questions, experience demos, and offer product feedback in an open and informal setting.
Our goal is to foster genuine conversations, helping people move beyond business cards and into meaningful exchanges.
Hands-on masterclass sessions
The event will also host curated masterclass sessions and workshops with seasoned industry experts as facilitators, offering more practical sessions aimed at demystifying challenges and providing better insights on solutions that work for businesses.
These sessions provide rare opportunities for participants to gain insights directly from established professionals and corporate leaders, and they are available to VIP ticket holders. Tiered experiences for attendees
The Lagos Startup Expo remains largely open and accessible. Free ticket holders can walk the exhibition floor, network with tech and business leaders, and interact with exhibitors, while VIP ticket holders are granted enhanced networking access, reserved seating, and intimate roundtable discussions with sponsors, speakers, and high-level participants.
Hiring, talent discovery, and business partnerships
Lagos Startup Expo 2.0 is expected to serve as a talent marketplace, with a wide cross-section of professionals in attendance, including designers, engineers, marketers, and founders.
For companies hiring, individuals looking for new opportunities, or founders looking for business partners, it offers a relatively informal yet effective platform to connect.
A broader definition of “Startup”
While the name of the event centres on startups, the expo increasingly serves businesses at various stages, from early ideation to scale-ups and even large enterprises looking to innovate.
The programming reflects diversity, blending grassroots entrepreneurship with corporate interest and international collaboration.
How to participate
The Lagos Startup Expo will take place from June 18 to 19, 2025.
Businesses and companies interested in exhibiting or sponsoring can apply here: https://lagosstartupexpo.com/sponsor.
Attendee registration is open to the public, with both free and premium options available. You can get yours here: https://lagosstartupexpo.com/#tickets
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