iDICE Startup Bridge Targets 500 Tech Entrepreneurs Nationwide

The federal government has launched the iDICE Startup Bridge Programme to support more than 500 Nigerian technology entrepreneurs with structured training, grants of up to N10 million, and equity investments of up to $100,000.

The programme, which targets aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage startup founders across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is designed to help innovators move from idea development to business validation and scaling.

According to the promoters, iDICE Startup Bridge operates under the broader Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme, a federal government initiative implemented through the Bank of Industry (BOI) and financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the iDICE Steering Committee, said the initiative was created to unlock sustainable jobs and economic inclusion for Nigeria’s youthful population.

He said the programme would provide young entrepreneurs with the opportunity to build and scale innovative businesses while strengthening the country’s enterprise ecosystem.

Managing director and chief executive officer of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi, said the bank remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s innovation pipeline through the initiative.

Olusi noted that the bank disbursed a record N636 billion to enterprises across various sectors in 2025, the highest annual disbursement in its history, including N43 billion to projects in the creative and digital sectors.

He said applications for the Founders Lab opened on March 16, 2026, and will close on April 20, 2026, adding that selection will follow a merit-based evaluation process.

Head of Founders Lab at iDICE Startup Bridge, Cindy Ezerioha, said the programme is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn ideas into validated businesses and connect them with funding opportunities.

According to her, each cohort will support 125 entrepreneurs with innovative ideas or early prototypes seeking guidance on launching their ventures. The initiative is part of efforts to boost job creation, strengthen enterprise development, and expand access to capital within Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors.

The programme will be delivered through two distinct pathways to support founders at different stages of business development.

The first pathway, Founders Lab, is a 12-week capacity-building programme designed for idea-stage and early prototype founders. It focuses on business model development, validation, and the creation of minimum viable products (MVPs).

Each year, 250 participants will receive mentorship and structured training, while 100 high-performing participants who meet programme milestones will receive grants of up to N10 million to support product development or launch their ventures.

The second pathway, Growth Lab, which will be launched later, targets post-MVP startups with proven traction and revenue potential. Selected startups will receive $100,000 in equity investment and support to scale operations, strengthen governance structures, and refine fundraising strategies.