Nigeria’s federal government has unveiled the iDICE Startup Bridge, a new national programme designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs with non-dilutive grants and equity financing, as part of efforts to accelerate innovation within the country’s digital economy.
The initiative introduces a two-track structure aimed at founders at different stages of business development. Idea-stage entrepreneurs will be eligible for grants of up to ₦10 million, while post-MVP startups showing early traction can access equity investment of up to $100,000. Applications for the first cohort are now open.
Brandspur Brand News reports that the programme is being implemented by the Bank of Industry and is financed through a consortium of international development partners, including the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and the Islamic Development Bank.
The iDICE Startup Bridge operates under the broader Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises programme, a federal initiative launched in 2023 with $617.7 million in funding to stimulate growth in Nigeria’s technology and creative sectors. The Startup Bridge represents the government’s most extensive early-stage startup intervention in recent years.
Unlike previous initiatives concentrated around Lagos and Abuja, the programme targets founders across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, signalling a strategic push to decentralise startup funding and expand Nigeria’s innovation pipeline nationwide.
One pathway under the initiative, the Founders Lab, opened for applications on March 16. It is a 12-week capacity-building programme designed for idea-stage founders and those with early prototypes. Participants will receive structured training in validation, business modelling and MVP development, alongside mentorship from industry experts.
A total of 250 founders will be admitted annually, with the top 100 participants who meet defined milestones qualifying for grants of up to ₦10 million to support product development or market entry.
The second pathway, the Growth Lab, is scheduled for a later rollout and will focus on post-MVP startups with revenue potential and operational readiness. Selected startups will receive $100,000 in equity funding, as well as support to scale operations, improve governance and prepare for future fundraising rounds. The programme also offers access to institutional investors and potential match funding for startups that secure external investment.
Speaking on the initiative, Kashim Shettima, Chairman of the iDICE Steering Committee, said the programme provides young entrepreneurs across Nigeria with a practical pathway to build and scale sustainable businesses.
The Bank of Industry disclosed that it disbursed ₦636 billion to enterprises across multiple sectors in its most recent financial year, with ₦43 billion directed towards creative and digital projects, underscoring its capacity to support large-scale enterprise programmes.
Applications for the Founders Lab close on April 20, 2026, with selection based on merit and alignment with published programme criteria. Interested founders can apply through the official iDICE Startup Bridge platform.
