Moonshot by TechCabal returns to Lagos for a fourth edition on October 28 and 29, 2026, at the National Theatre, under the theme “Courage & Conviction: Building for a New World.” Tickets, speaker applications and sponsor slots are open now. TC Battlefield, the event’s startup pitch competition, has not yet opened its 2026 round as of this writing.
Status last checked: September 14, 2026. We will update this post if any application window opens, closes or changes.
Moonshot by TechCabal 2026 at a glance
| Pathway | Status (as of Sept 14, 2026) | Who it’s for | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attend | Ticket sales open, no stated closing date | Open to the public | Get tickets |
| Speak | Applications open, no deadline published | Founders, operators, investors, policymakers, researchers, creatives, ecosystem leaders | Apply to speak |
| Sponsor | Applications open | Brands and companies | Sponsor form |
| Pitch (TC Battlefield) | 2026 round not yet open | African startups (2025 criteria: 6 months to 3 years in operation, revenue-generating) | Battlefield page |
Who can attend or apply to Moonshot 2026?
Attendance is open to anyone who buys a pass. Past editions drew more than 5,700 participants from 39 countries in 2025 alone, and over 12,650 attendees from 44-plus countries across three editions combined, per TechCabal’s own recap.
Moonshot is looking for speakers who put African realities first: builders and operators who design for African conditions rather than importing trends, prioritize durable infrastructure over hype, and can speak candidly about pivots and governance. The call for speakers names founders, operators, investors, policymakers, researchers, creatives and ecosystem leaders as good fits.
TC Battlefield eligibility for 2026 has not been published yet. In the most recent, 2025 round, it was open to startups registered in Africa and solving African problems, six months to three years in operation, generating consistent revenue, with a carve-out for beta startups launching within three months of the competition, per the official Battlefield page. Treat these as reference points, not confirmed 2026 rules, until TechCabal republishes them.
What does a Moonshot 2026 pass or slot get you?
- Regular Pass (₦38,250): access to all stages, exhibitions and masterclasses across the two main days.
- Emerging Professional Pass (₦68,000): the Regular tier’s access plus benefits aimed at early-career attendees.
- Prime Pass (₦195,500): meals, the VIP lounge and exclusive mixers on top of the Regular tier.
- Investor Pass (₦371,875): deal-room access and investor-only bundles.
- International bundles pairing Moonshot with the co-located DBiA Tour and ABAN Congress run $400 to $600, per the official ticket page.
A confirmed speaking slot puts you in front of an audience that, across past editions, has included more than 210 speakers in keynote, fireside, panel, workshop and masterclass formats, per the official Moonshot site. TC Battlefield’s most recent, 2025 top three shared $18,500 in cash: $10,000, $6,000 and $2,500, part of $105,000 awarded across 960 applicants since 2023, per TechCabal. These are figures from the program’s history, not a confirmed 2026 prize pool.
How do I apply to Moonshot 2026?
- To attend: buy a pass directly from the official ticket page.
- To speak: fill in the speaker application document TechCabal published in July 2026.
- To sponsor: submit the sponsorship form.
- For media access: apply through the media pass form.
- To pitch: bookmark the TC Battlefield page and watch for the 2026 application window to open.
What are the key dates for Moonshot 2026?
The conference runs October 28 to 29, 2026, at the National Theatre in Lagos. Ticket, speaker and sponsor applications are open now with no published closing date. TC Battlefield’s 2026 application window has not been announced. Its most recent cycle ran from March 11 to September 1, 2025, ahead of an October competition day, per the Battlefield page. That pattern is worth watching, not a confirmed 2026 schedule.
Moonshot by TechCabal 2026: FAQ
Is Moonshot 2026 only for founders based in Nigeria?
No. Past editions have drawn attendees from more than 44 countries across six continents, per TechCabal’s own figures.
Is there a fee to apply to speak or pitch?
The speaker application document does not mention a fee, and TC Battlefield’s 2025 round was free to apply. Neither has been confirmed as unchanged for 2026.
When do TC Battlefield 2026 applications open?
TechCabal has not announced a date as of September 14, 2026. Its most recent round opened in March and closed in September, so an announcement is plausible in the coming months. Check the official Battlefield page rather than assuming a repeat schedule.
What is the difference between the ticket tiers?
The Regular Pass covers stages, exhibitions and masterclasses. The Emerging Professional, Prime and Investor tiers add early-career benefits, meals and VIP access, or deal-room and investor bundles, at ₦68,000, ₦195,500 and ₦371,875 respectively.
More funding and fellowship opportunities on Africapreneurs
Moonshot sits alongside other live opportunities we are tracking for African founders and leaders, including Africa’s Data Future Fellowship 2026 and the Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship, Cohort 2. Browse the full list on our Opportunities page.
