Nigeria’s federal government has launched the iDICE Startup Bridge, a two-track initiative designed to support early-stage founders with grants of up to ₦10 million ($7,215) and equity investments of $100,000, as part of efforts to deepen innovation across the country.
The programme, implemented by the Bank of Industry and funded by development partners including the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and the Islamic Development Bank, operates under the broader Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) initiative.
iDICE is a federal government programme aimed at boosting investment in Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors, aligning with the country’s wider digital economy ambitions.
“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, with a clear target of ensuring progress from concept to validated business models. This programme is built for people with innovative ideas, early prototypes, or unanswered questions about how to take their first real step.”
What you need to know
The iDICE Startup Bridge represents one of the most ambitious early-stage startup support efforts introduced by the government in recent years.
Notably, it is structured to reach founders across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, marking a deliberate attempt to decentralise access to startup funding and support.
Historically, Nigeria’s startup ecosystem has been heavily concentrated in Lagos and Abuja, which account for the bulk of venture capital inflows.
By widening its geographic scope, the programme aims to unlock innovation in underserved regions and diversify the country’s entrepreneurial pipeline.
Founders Lab to support idea-stage entrepreneurs
At the core of the initiative is the Founders Lab, a 12-week capacity-building programme tailored for idea-stage and early prototype founders. Applications for its first cohort opened on March 16.
According to programme organisers, each cohort will support 125 aspiring entrepreneurs, focusing on helping them validate ideas, develop business models, and build minimum viable products (MVPs).
Each year, 250 participants will undergo training and mentorship, with the top 100 founders, based on performance milestones, receiving grants of up to ₦10 million to support product development or venture launch.
Growth Lab to provide capital for scaling startups
The second track, known as the Growth Lab, is expected to launch in a later phase and will focus on post-MVP startups that demonstrate traction and revenue potential.
Selected startups under this track will receive $100,000 in equity investment, alongside support to scale operations, strengthen governance structures, and refine fundraising strategies.
The programme also aims to connect participating startups with institutional investors, creating a pipeline for follow-on funding. Startups that attract external investment may also qualify for match funding, further boosting their growth prospects.
“This programme created under the iDICE umbrella, gives young entrepreneurs across the country a real opportunity to build or scale, and we are confident in its ability to reshape early-stage enterprise development and innovation outcomes over time,” Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chairman of the iDICE Steering Committee, said.
What this means
The programme builds on iDICE’s earlier activities, including its first startup investment in late 2025 through Ventures Platform, one of Africa’s most active seed-stage venture capital firms.
For the Bank of Industry, which is leading implementation, the initiative represents an extension of its broader financing activities. The institution says it disbursed ₦636 billion across sectors in its latest annual cycle, including ₦43 billion to the creative and digital industries.
“We are happy to replicate our success over time with the iDICE Startup Bridge as well,” said Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry.
Applications for the Founders Lab are open until April 20, 2026, and will be assessed through a merit-based selection process aligned with published criteria. Interested startups can apply at www.idicestartupbridge.ng.
With its combination of training, funding, and investor access, experts say the iDICE Startup Bridge could play a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s next generation of startups, if it succeeds in translating ambition into tangible outcomes.
Talking Points
The launch of the iDICE Startup Bridge is a significant step in addressing one of the biggest gaps in Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, early-stage support. While late-stage funding has grown in recent years, many founders still struggle to move from idea to execution.
The structure of the programme stands out, particularly its two-track approach. By separating idea-stage founders from post-MVP startups, the initiative recognises that entrepreneurs at different stages require different types of support, from validation and mentorship to capital and scale.
The inclusion of grants up to ₦10 million for early-stage founders is especially notable. For many aspiring entrepreneurs in Nigeria, access to even small amounts of structured funding can determine whether an idea progresses or stalls.
At Techparley, we see this as a deliberate attempt to democratise access to opportunity. By targeting all 36 states and the FCT, the programme moves beyond the usual concentration of innovation in Lagos and Abuja, opening the door for talent in underserved regions.
The Growth Lab component also signals a more mature approach to ecosystem building. Providing $100,000 in equity investment, alongside investor access and match funding opportunities, creates a clearer pathway for startups to scale sustainably.
If effectively implemented, the iDICE Startup Bridge could become a foundational layer in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, helping to turn more ideas into viable businesses and expanding the country’s startup pipeline beyond its traditional centres.
——————-
Bookmark Techparley.com for the most insightful technology news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @Techparleynews, on Facebook at Techparley Africa, on LinkedIn at Techparley Africa, or on Instagram at Techparleynews.
