The iDICE Startup Bridge has officially launched in Nigeria, offering a structured two-track support programme for early-stage and post-MVP startups. Idea-stage founders can access grants of up to ₦10 million ($7,215), while startups that have developed a minimum viable product (MVP) are eligible for $100,000 in equity investment. Applications for the first cohort are now open.
The initiative is implemented through the Bank of Industry and funded by the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and the Islamic Development Bank. It forms part of the federal government’s broader Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, which is tied to Nigeria’s digital economy agenda and aims to boost innovation across the country.
The Startup Bridge is among the most ambitious early-stage support initiatives the government has launched in recent years. Unlike many programmes that concentrate on Lagos or Abuja, it targets all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, signalling a deliberate effort to broaden the country’s innovation pipeline.
“Founders Lab is a bridge that connects potential to proof, and proof to capital,” said Cindy Ezerioha, Head of Founders Lab, iDICE Startup Bridge. “Each cohort will support 125 aspiring entrepreneurs, guiding them from concept to validated business models. This programme is built for people with innovative ideas, early prototypes, or questions about how to take their first real step.”
Launched in 2023 with $617.7 million in funding, iDICE is designed to promote investment in Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors. Its first startup investment came in late 2025 through Ventures Platform, one of Africa’s most active seed-stage venture capital firms. The Startup Bridge represents the next phase of the programme, focusing on structured training, mentorship, and access to capital for early-stage founders.
The Founders Lab, the first pathway under the Startup Bridge, is a 12-week capacity-building programme for idea-stage and early prototype founders. It focuses on validation, business model development, and MVP creation through a structured curriculum delivered by expert facilitators. Each year, 250 participants will receive mentoring and capacity-building support, with the top 100 founders receiving grants of up to ₦10 million ($7,215) to fund product development or launch their ventures.
The Growth Lab, which will roll out in a later phase, targets startups that have a post-MVP product, traction, and revenue potential. Selected startups will receive $100,000 in equity investment along with support to scale operations, strengthen governance, and refine their fundraising strategy. The programme also provides a pipeline to institutional investors, with match funding available for startups that secure additional external investment.
“This programme, created under the iDICE umbrella, gives young entrepreneurs across the country a real opportunity to build or scale,” said Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chairman of the iDICE Steering Committee. “We are confident in its ability to reshape early-stage enterprise development and innovation outcomes over time.”
The Bank of Industry, the implementing agency, said it disbursed ₦636 billion to enterprises across various sectors in Nigeria in its largest annual distribution, with ₦43 billion directed to projects in the creative and digital sectors. Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and CEO of the Bank of Industry, added, “We are happy to replicate our success over time with the iDICE Startup Bridge as well.”
Whether the programme can combine scale with high-touch mentorship and investor connectivity will be one of its early tests. Applications for the Founders Lab close on April 20, 2026, and will be evaluated through a merit-based selection process. Interested startups can apply at www.startupbridge.ng.
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