Founders, technology professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives have been challenged to put purpose at the centre of innovation.

This was at the Qubators Global Conference (QGC) 2026, themed “Building with Purpose: Purpose, Innovation, and Impact.” The conference, which has thousands of people attend virtually, urged participants to look beyond creating new products and consider the people they serve and the value they deliver.

The sessions explored a central question: how can builders turn their ideas into useful, commercially viable solutions that create meaningful value?.

Director of Qubators Network and Technologies, Pastor Bisi Osademe, stated that the conference aimed to inspire purposeful thinking and deliver impactful, life-changing sessions for those building across different industries.

“QGC 2026 is a powerful opportunity to bring together people who are committed to building with purpose. Through the conversations, shared experiences, and insights we will be getting from our speakers, attendees are encouraged to think more deeply about what they are building, why it matters, and how their ideas can create meaningful value.

“Our goal is to inspire a generation of builders who combine innovation with purpose and use their gifts to make a lasting difference,” she said.

Founder and CEO of MyGrowthFund Venture Partners, Vusi Thembekwayo, identified three essentials for every builder: the right mindset, skillset and toolset, emphasising that the combination of perspective, capability and resources are needed to move an idea forward.

The conference also had speakers such as; Co-Founder of MyAbode, Jeffrey Itepu; Co-Founder and CEO of Laddar Africa, Kelechi Ekeghe; Co-Founder and Group CEO of The People Company Group, Adim Isiakpona; CEO of Bamboo Richmond Bassey and Founder of Lagos Life, Shalom Rayhamen.

The fireside chat, titled “From Ideas to Project,” explored the journey from identifying a problem to developing a solution that people can use and value. Discussions emphasised the importance of validating ideas, understanding users, and building products that respond to real needs.

Drawing on her experience building the popular Lagos Life game, Rayhamen explained how her familiarity with Lagos helped her create an experience that reflected the city and resonated with its users.

She highlighted simplicity as essential to product development, encouraging builders to make their solutions accessible, enjoyable, and valuable to the people they serve.

“Great ideas come from paying attention to problems; paying attention to problems helps to understand how best to solve them,” she said.

Rayhamen encouraged builders to start small, gather feedback, develop quickly, and improve their products through iteration. On artificial intelligence, she urged builders to use the technology deliberately to support their work while retaining control of their decisions and approach.

“Starting small allows you to iterate fast, allows you to receive feedback and use it to further develop your product. Do not allow AI to use you; rather, use AI to your advantage,” she added.

Also, Isiakpona emphasised the need to validate an idea before investing heavily in its development, encouraging aspiring founders to test whether their ideas address a genuine need, serve a viable market and offer a clear path to monetisation. He also highlighted the role AI can play in exploring and assessing concepts.

The Chairman of Qubators Network and Technologies and Prime Minister, LoveWorld Nation, Pastor Yemisi Kudehinbu, reminded attendees that purposeful building beginsbwith understanding the world around them.

“We start our building with purpose. Purpose challenges us beyond the excitement of technology. Let’s allow purpose to challenge us to move beyond building because something is possible, but let’s ask if it is necessary, useful, and capable of creating meaningful value. We must remember that excellence and purpose must go together,” she said.