iDICE Startup Bridge Welcomes 185 Founders in Nigeria

The iDICE Startup Bridge has officially inaugurated its first cohort, admitting 185 founders selected from a competitive pool of 7,000 applicants. This initiative is part of a $617 million program aimed at strengthening Nigeria's digital creative economy, co-financed by the Federal Government and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The selected founders will participate in a 12-week intensive program focused on mentorship and business development. The program's design reflects inclusivity, with participants drawn from Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, and women entrepreneurs making up 38% of the cohort, surpassing the 30% gender inclusion target.

The initiative is overseen by a steering committee chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who stated that the program aims to unlock the creative potential of Nigerian youth. Participants will also be eligible for grants of N10 million to help accelerate their ventures.

The broader iDICE program includes training for 300,000 young Nigerians in digital creative skills and aims to position Nigeria as a leader in Africa's digital creative economy.