iDICE Startup Bridge Program Launches to Empower Nigerian Entrepreneurs
The iDICE Startup Bridge Program has officially launched as a comprehensive entrepreneurship and growth initiative, designed to assist aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders throughout Nigeria, encompassing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This program aims to guide participants from the conception of an idea through validation, and ultimately to scaling their ventures.
Government Initiative Driven by Key Financial Institutions
The iDICE Startup Bridge operates under the larger Digital and Creative Enterprise Investment (iDICE) framework, established by the Federal Government of Nigeria. This initiative is implemented through the Bank of Industry (BOI) and is funded by prominent financial institutions, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence France Développement (AFD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). It forms part of a national strategy focused on enhancing job creation, supporting enterprise development, and facilitating access to capital within Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital and creative sectors.
Customized Support for Diverse Entrepreneurial Stages
Acknowledging the different support needs of founders at various stages, the iDICE Startup Bridge is structured into two distinct pathways. Currently open for applications is the Founders Lab, a 12-week development program tailored for those in the idea stage or early prototype phase.
Founders Lab: A Springboard for Startups
This pathway emphasizes validation, business model development, and Minimum Viable Product (MVP) creation, all guided by a comprehensive curriculum presented by seasoned facilitators. Each year, 250 participants will benefit from this capacity-building support, with 100 standout candidates receiving grants of up to NOK 10 million to assist in product development and venture launches.
Growth Lab: For Startups Ready to Scale
Set to launch in the next phase, the Growth Lab is crafted for post-MVP startups exhibiting traction, revenue potential, and operational readiness. Every selected startup will receive an equity investment of $100,000 (or its local currency equivalent) along with tailored assistance to scale operations, bolster governance, and refine funding strategies. The program aims to create a pipeline to institutional investors, ensuring continued funding opportunities, including potential match funding for startups that secure additional investments from qualified external sources.
Promoting Innovation and Capital Accessibility
With an expectation to support over 500 Nigerian technology startups through successive cohorts, the iDICE Startup Bridge is poised to enhance Nigeria’s innovation landscape while expanding access to structured early-stage capital.
Program’s Commitment to Economic Inclusion
Vice President Kassim Shettima, who also chairs the iDICE Steering Committee, articulated the program’s overarching goal. The initiative aims to foster sustainable employment and economic inclusion for young Nigerians. He expressed confidence in the program’s ability to empower budding entrepreneurs and facilitate meaningful progress in the development of early-stage companies.
Operational Excellence from the Bank of Industry
Mr. Olasupo Olusi, the Managing Director and CEO of the Bank of Industry, emphasized the institution’s vital role in enhancing Nigeria’s innovation pipeline. He remarked on the BOI’s impressive disbursement record, with N636 billion distributed across various sectors in 2025, marking a historical high for the bank. He expressed optimism about replicating this success through the iDICE Startup Bridge initiative.
Application Process and Program Details
Applications for the Founders Lab are set to open on March 16, 2026, and will close on April 20, 2026. The selection will follow a merit-based assessment aligned with publicly published criteria, allowing interested individuals to apply via the official website: www.idicestartupbridge.ng. Cindy Ezerioha, Head of Founders Lab, underscored the program’s structured approach, aiming to nurture aspiring entrepreneurs and facilitate their transition from innovative ideas to validated business models.
