ONYINYECHI NWAIGBA 
Early-stage entrepreneurs across Nigeria have a fresh opportunity to accelerate their startup journey as applications open for the iDICE Startup Bridge Founders Lab Cohort 2.
The programme is designed to support aspiring founders with the skills, mentorship, networks, and funding opportunities needed to transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses. Through a structured learning experience, participants will gain practical entrepreneurial knowledge while preparing their startups for growth and investment.
The Founders Lab is part of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) initiative, which seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting businesses within the digital and creative sectors. By investing in early-stage founders, the programme aims to stimulate innovation, create employment opportunities, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.
Unlike many startup accelerators that focus on businesses already generating significant traction, the Founders Lab is tailored for entrepreneurs still validating their ideas or building their first products, giving them the foundation needed to build successful and scalable ventures.
About the Founders Lab
The iDICE Startup Bridge Founders Lab is a 12-week entrepreneurship programme that combines expert-led training with practical business development activities.
Participants will receive intensive support designed to help them strengthen their businesses while developing the entrepreneurial mindset needed to succeed in today’s competitive startup ecosystem.
Throughout the programme, founders will work on refining their business ideas, understanding customer needs, improving their products, and building sustainable business models capable of attracting customers, investors, and strategic partners.
Rather than focusing on theory alone, the programme encourages participants to apply what they learn directly to their businesses through practical assignments, mentoring sessions, and continuous feedback.
What Participants Will Learn
During the programme, entrepreneurs will receive training in key areas such as:
- Identifying and validating market opportunities
- Customer discovery and market research
- Product development and Minimum Viable Product (MVP) design
- Business model development
- Revenue generation strategies
- Branding and market positioning
- Financial planning and budgeting
- Pitch preparation and investor readiness
- Business operations and growth planning
- Leadership and entrepreneurial resilience
The curriculum is designed to help founders build businesses that solve real-world problems while remaining commercially viable.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to early-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs who meet the following requirements:
- Be between 18 and 35 years old
- Be a Nigerian citizen residing in Nigeria
- Be building an early-stage startup or innovative business
- Have a business at the idea, prototype, or validation stage
- Operate or intend to operate within any of Nigeria’s 36 states or the Federal Capital Territory
- Be available to participate fully throughout the 12-week programme
- Demonstrate commitment to building a scalable and sustainable business
The programme particularly encourages founders developing innovative solutions within Nigeria’s digital and creative economy.
Programme Benefits
Successful applicants will enjoy several benefits designed to strengthen both their entrepreneurial capacity and business growth.
Participants will receive:
- A comprehensive 12-week entrepreneurship training programme
- One-on-one mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts
- Practical business development support
- Access to startup resources and learning materials
- Networking opportunities with fellow founders
- Exposure to investors and ecosystem partners
- Connections to innovation hubs across Nigeria
- Investor readiness support
- Opportunities to showcase their businesses during Demo Day
The programme is designed to equip participants with practical knowledge that extends beyond the classroom, helping them navigate real business challenges.
Funding Opportunities
One of the major highlights of the Founders Lab is the opportunity to access performance-based funding.
Participants who demonstrate outstanding performance throughout the programme may qualify for non-equity builder grants of up to ₦7 million to support the growth of their businesses.
Unlike traditional investment, these grants allow entrepreneurs to receive financial support without giving up ownership of their companies.
Outstanding startups may also progress to the Growth Lab, where selected businesses could become eligible for equity investment of up to $100,000 to accelerate expansion and market growth.
More Than a Startup Programme
The Founders Lab is more than an accelerator or training programme.
It provides founders with access to a broader entrepreneurial ecosystem that includes mentors, investors, innovation hubs, business leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs.
Participants will collaborate with peers facing similar challenges, exchange ideas, receive expert feedback, and develop valuable professional networks that can continue supporting their businesses long after the programme ends.
The initiative also places strong emphasis on helping entrepreneurs develop confidence, leadership skills, and problem-solving abilities necessary for building resilient businesses.
Why Programmes Like This Matter
Nigeria continues to produce thousands of talented entrepreneurs each year. However, many promising startups fail during their early stages due to limited access to mentorship, funding, business knowledge, and investor networks.
Early-stage founders often struggle with product validation, customer acquisition, financial planning, and scaling strategies. Without the right support, innovative ideas frequently fail to reach the market.
Programmes such as the iDICE Startup Bridge Founders Lab help bridge this gap by providing structured entrepreneurship education alongside access to experienced mentors and funding opportunities.
By supporting young entrepreneurs at the beginning of their journey, the programme contributes to building stronger startups capable of creating jobs, attracting investment, and driving innovation across Nigeria.
How to Apply
Interested entrepreneurs should complete the online application form HERE.
Applicants will be expected to provide personal information, details about their startup or business idea, the problem their solution addresses, and how participation in the programme will support their entrepreneurial journey.
Candidates are advised to carefully review the eligibility requirements before submitting their applications and ensure that all requested information is completed accurately.
Only shortlisted applicants will proceed to the next stage of the selection process.
Application Deadline
Interested entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit their applications before the official application deadline 26, July. Early submission is recommended to avoid last-minute technical challenges and to allow sufficient time for reviewing application requirements.
Conclusion
As Nigeria continues to position itself as one of Africa’s leading innovation hubs, initiatives such as the iDICE Startup Bridge Founders Lab are playing an increasingly important role in nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.
By combining entrepreneurship training, mentorship, ecosystem support, and funding opportunities, the programme offers aspiring founders a pathway to transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses capable of creating jobs and contributing to national economic growth.
For ambitious young Nigerians ready to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey, the Founders Lab represents more than just a learning opportunity—it is a platform for building resilient businesses, attracting investment, and becoming part of Nigeria’s growing innovation ecosystem.
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