Nigeria’s federal government has opened applications for the iDICE Startup Bridge Growth Lab, a 12-week accelerator designed to bridge early-stage funding gaps. Implemented by the Bank of Industry (BoI) under the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises program, the initiative will select 12 post-MVP tech startups from Nigeria's six geopolitical zones.
Selected participants receive structured growth mentorship, investment readiness training, and market expansion support.
Investment Terms and Capital Tranches
Funding for participating companies reaches up to $350,000 through a two-tiered structure:
- Initial Stage: Startups receive $100,000 (or its naira equal) upon entry in exchange for a 7.5% equity stake.
- Growth Milestone Tranche: High-performing ventures that hit set operational targets become eligible for an more $250,000 in follow-on investment.
Application Criteria and Ecosystem Positioning
The Growth Lab acts as the second phase of the iDICE framework, picking up post-MVP businesses ready for scaling after the initial Founders Lab phase.
Applicants must be technology-enabled startups operating for under 12 months with founders residing in one of Nigeria's geopolitical zones. Merited applications closed on August 19, 2026.
Technical Ecosystem and Sector Opportunities
To track tech investments and regional startup programs, check the events directory. Early-stage ventures and enterprise software platforms can showcase their products in the companies directory.
Government-backed tech accelerators support Portugal tech nation state objectives, advance the Portugal digital economy strategy, and strengthen Portugal tech ecosystem development models worldwide.
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