Nigeria’s federal authorities has launched the iDICE Startup Bridge, a structured two-track initiative that can provide idea-stage founders grants of as much as ₦10 million ($7,215) and fairness funding of $100,000 for post-MVP startups, with functions for the primary cohort now open.
Carried out by the Financial institution of Trade and financed by the African Improvement Financial institution, Agence Française de Développement, and the Islamic Improvement Financial institution, iDICE Startup Bridge operates beneath the broader Funding in Digital and Inventive Enterprises (iDICE) program, a federal initiative tied to Nigeria’s digital economic system agenda.
The programme is essentially the most formidable early-stage startup help initiative the federal authorities has deployed in years, and one of many few designed to succeed in founders exterior Nigeria’s conventional tech hubs. By concentrating on all 36 states and the FCT, it indicators a deliberate try to broaden Nigeria’s innovation pipeline past Lagos and Abuja, the place the overwhelming majority of Nigerian startup capital has traditionally concentrated.
“Founders Lab is a bridge that connects potential to proof, and proof to capital,” stated Cindy Ezerioha, Head of Founders Lab, iDICE Startup Bridge. “Every cohort will help 125 aspiring entrepreneurs, with a transparent goal of making certain progress from idea to validated enterprise fashions. This programme is constructed for individuals with progressive concepts, early prototypes, or unanswered questions on the best way to take their first actual step.”
Launched in 2023 with $617.7 million in funding, iDICE is a federal authorities initiative designed to advertise funding in Nigeria’s digital and artistic sectors. It made its first startup funding in late 2025 by Ventures Platform, considered one of Africa’s most energetic seed-stage enterprise capital companies. The iDICE Startup Bridge is the federal government’s newest effort beneath the initiative to deepen early-stage startup help by structured coaching, mentorship, and entry to capital.
The Founders Lab, the primary pathway beneath the Startup Bridge, opened for functions on March 16. It’s a 12-week capacity-building programme designed for idea-stage and early prototype founders. The programme focuses on validation, enterprise mannequin improvement, and MVP creation by a structured curriculum delivered by skilled facilitators.
Annually, 250 contributors will obtain capacity-building help and mentoring, with the highest 100 founders who meet programme milestones receiving grants of as much as ₦10,000,000 ($7,215) to help product improvement or the launch of their ventures.
The Development Lab, scheduled to launch in a later part, will goal post-MVP startups demonstrating traction, income potential, and operational readiness. Chosen startups will obtain $100,000 in fairness funding, together with help to scale operations, strengthen governance, and refine their fundraising technique.
The programme can even present a direct pipeline to institutional traders to allow follow-on funding, whereas startups that safe extra funding from certified exterior traders could entry match funding.
“This programme created beneath the iDICE umbrella, offers younger entrepreneurs throughout the nation an actual alternative to construct or scale, and we’re assured in its capability to reshape early-stage enterprise improvement and innovation outcomes over time,” Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chairman of the iDICE Steering Committee, stated.
The Financial institution of Trade, the implementing company, says it has disbursed ₦636 billion to enterprises throughout varied sectors in Nigeria, its largest annual disbursement. Out of this determine, ₦43 billion was disbursed to tasks within the artistic & digital sectors.
“We’re completely satisfied to duplicate our success over time with the iDICE Startup Bridge as properly,” stated Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and Chief Govt Officer of the Financial institution of Trade.
Whether or not that capability for quantity interprets into the type of high-touch mentorship and investor connectivity that early-stage founders want will likely be one of many programme’s early assessments.
Functions for the Founders Lab shut on April 20, 2026, and will likely be evaluated by a merit-based choice course of aligned with revealed standards. startups can apply at www.idicestartupbridge.ng
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