The federal government has launched the iDICE Startup Bridge, a structured two-track initiative that will offer idea-stage founders grants of up to N10 million and equity investment of $100,000 for startups that have already built and launched their Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Launched in 2023 with $617.7 million in funding, iDICE was designed to promote investment in Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors. iDICE, implemented through the Bank of Industry and financed by the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and the Islamic Development Bank, iDICE Startup Bridge, operates under the broader Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) program. It is part of efforts to drive Nigeria’s digital economy growth.
It made its first startup investment in late 2025 through Ventures Platform, one of Africa’s most active seed-stage venture capital firms.
The iDICE Startup Bridge is the government’s latest effort under the initiative to deepen early-stage startup support through structured training, mentorship, and access to capital.
The Founders Lab, the first pathway under the Startup Bridge, opened for applications on March 16 and will close on April 20. Selected beneficiaries will embark on a 12-week capacity-building programme designed for idea-stage and early prototype founders. The programme focuses on validation, business model development, and MVP creation through a structured curriculum delivered by expert facilitators.
Each year, 250 participants will receive capacity-building support and mentoring, with the top 100 founders who meet programme milestones receiving grants of up to N10 million to support product development or the launch of their ventures.
The Growth Lab, scheduled to launch in a later phase, will target post-MVP startups demonstrating traction, revenue potential, and operational readiness. Selected startups will receive $100,000 in equity investment, along with support to scale operations, strengthen governance, and refine their fundraising strategy.
The programme will also provide a direct pipeline to institutional investors to enable follow-on funding, while startups that secure additional investment from qualified external investors may access match funding.
Speaking on this, Ms Cindy Ezerioha, Head of Founders Lab, iDICE Startup Bridge, said, “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.”
According to Vice President Kashim Shettima and Chairman of the iDICE Steering Committee, “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.”
The Bank of Industry, the implementing agency, says it has disbursed N636 billion to enterprises across various sectors in Nigeria, its largest annual disbursement. Out of this figure, N43 billion was disbursed to projects in the creative & digital sectors.
“We are happy to replicate our success over time with the iDICE Startup Bridge as well,” said Mr Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry.