Nigeria has opened applications for a new accelerator programme that could give selected early-stage technology startups access to as much as $350,000 in funding. The initiative is part of the Federal Government-backed Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme and is being implemented through the Bank of Industry (BoI).
Known as the iDICE Startup Bridge Growth Lab, the programme is designed to support startups that have moved beyond the idea stage and already developed a minimum viable product (MVP). Twelve startups will be selected, with two expected to come from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The 12-week accelerator will combine business development support, investment-readiness training, mentorship and access to industry experts. Founders will also receive opportunities to explore market expansion and connect with potential investors and strategic partners.
At the centre of the programme is a funding package that could provide each selected startup with up to $350,000. Participants will initially receive a $100,000 cash investment, or its naira equivalent, in exchange for 7.5% equity, subject to the programme’s terms and conditions. Startups that achieve specified growth milestones could then qualify for as much as $250,000 in additional follow-on investment.
The programme is targeting technology-enabled companies that have been operating for no more than 12 months. Applicants must have progressed beyond the MVP stage and demonstrate evidence of market validation. This could include customers, users, pilot projects, partnerships, waitlists or other indicators showing demand for their products or services.
This focus is significant because many young Nigerian startups struggle to secure capital after building an initial product. While idea-stage founders can find incubators and training programmes, companies trying to move from an MVP to commercial growth often require larger amounts of capital, stronger business structures and access to experienced investors.
The Growth Lab is intended to fill that gap by combining financing with practical support. Instead of simply providing capital, the programme seeks to help founders strengthen their business models, improve their investment readiness and develop strategies for sustainable expansion.
The accelerator will operate as a hybrid programme, combining virtual activities with two weeks of physical engagements in Lagos. This structure is designed to give founders access to both remote learning and in-person collaboration with experts, entrepreneurs and other participants.
Applications opened on July 15, 2026, and are scheduled to close on August 19, 2026. Female founders have also been encouraged to apply, while organisers say selection will be merit-based and aligned with published eligibility criteria.
The initiative arrives as Nigerian startups face a more challenging fundraising environment. By combining government-backed support, private-sector expertise and potential equity investment, the iDICE Growth Lab could give promising founders an important pathway from early traction to scalable businesses.
For Nigeria, the programme also represents a broader effort to strengthen the country’s technology ecosystem by helping more locally built startups develop into investment-ready companies capable of creating jobs, attracting capital and expanding beyond the domestic market.
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