The Nigerian government has launched the iDICE Startup Bridge programme to support startup founders across the country.

The initiative operates under the broaderInvestment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) vehicle and targets both early stage and growth stage entrepreneurs through two tracks; Founders Lab and Growth Lab.

iDICE is a government-backed programme designed to catalyse investment in Nigeria’s digital and creative economy.

Launched with funding support from development partners including the Bank of Industry (BOI), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the French Development Agency, and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the programme aims to mobilise hundreds of millions of dollars into Nigeria’s startup ecosystem while strengthening the pipeline of investable technology and creative ventures.

“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,”

Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima and Chairman of the iDICE Steering Committee said in a statement.

Founders Lab, which the government sayshas now opened for applications, will run for 12 weeks and seeks to provide idea-stage and prototype founders with resources such as mentorship, funding, and learning materials.

At the end of the programme, the best 100 founders will receive a ₦10 million grant each amounting to up to ₦1 billion in total funding.

According to Cindy Ezerioha, Head of Startup School at iDICE Startup Bridge, founders will be taught how to validate the problems they choose to solve, structure their businesses, and develop a minimum viable product (MVP) during the 12-week programme.

“It targets very early-stage ideas and founders who do not yet meet the thresholds of a venture fund.

The goal is to develop a stronger pipeline of investable Nigerian startups, including for the iDICE technology fund itself, and to ensure founders from outside the major startup hubs have access to structured support,” Ezerioha said.

The Startup Bridge programme follows iDICE’s investment inVentures Platform’s recent $64 million fund and aNovember 2025 commitment to establish two additional funds under the initiative.

Founders Lab will run two cohorts each year and is expected to take in at least 250 startups this year and the Startup Bridge is administered through Ventures Platform, the programme’s fund manager.

Growth Lab, which is expected to launch later in the year, will provide $100,000 in equity investment for selected startups, in addition to helping them strengthen governance structures and access follow-on funding.

Founders may also access an additional $125,000 in matching funds after completing the programme.

During the programme, founders will receive stipends to cover expenses such as Internet connection costs and access to workspaces.

Ezerioha notes that the programme will work with hub owners across all regions of the country to ensure broader geographic participation as well as gender representation.

The programme has also forged strategic partnerships to provide access to valuable technology credits, workspace vouchers, and discounted or pro bono business support services from notable partners including Pitchwise, TLP Advisory, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Paystack, and Microsoft.

Furthermore, industry luminaries like Sim Shagaya, founder of Miva University, are slated to teach masterclasses, enriching the learning experience for participants.

The initiative places a strong emphasis on broad geographic participation and gender representation, with Ezerioha confirming collaborations with hub owners across all regions of the country.

Startups receiving initial funding will also have the opportunity to secure additional capital through a national pitch competition.

This entire Startup Bridge programme is built upon previous strategic moves by iDICE, including its investment in Ventures Platform’s recent $64 million fund and a November 2025 commitment to establish two additional funds under the initiative, signaling a sustained, multi-faceted approach to nurturing Nigeria's digital and creative economy.