The Federal Government, through the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Startup Bridge, has onboarded 185 founders into the inaugural cohort of its Founders Lab. This marks one of the first major milestones in the programme's rollout following a detailed assessment of applications.
iDICE Programme Overview
iDICE is an initiative of the Federal Government launched in 2023 as part of the administration's broader agenda to drive innovation, youth enterprise, and economic diversification. The $617 million programme is co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), while the Bank of Industry (BoI) serves as the executing agency and programme financier.
Beyond providing financing opportunities for startups, iDICE was designed as a long-term economic development programme with ambitions extending across digital infrastructure, innovation hubs, creative industry financing, skills development, investment facilitation, and policy support.
Startup Bridge Initiative Tracks
The Startup Bridge initiative represents one of the programme's direct founder-support pathways. It consists of two tracks: Founders Lab for early-stage innovators and Growth Lab for post-MVP startups with existing traction. Over 7,000 completed applications were received for the Founders Lab shortly after the application portal opened in March 2026, highlighting both the scale of entrepreneurial ambition across the country and the growing demand for structured support systems for founders.
Government and Stakeholder Reactions
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, the programme's Steering Committee Chair and Vice President, Kashim Shettima, said: "By unlocking the creative and digital potential of our youth, the Federal Government is investing in sectors that will define Nigeria's future economy. Programmes like iDICE are creating pathways for young innovators to build globally competitive businesses from Nigeria."
The selected cohort was designed to reflect national inclusion, as founders were selected from across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, extending participation beyond established startup ecosystems such as Lagos and Abuja. Women entrepreneurs account for 38 per cent of the cohort, surpassing the programme's 30 per cent gender inclusion target.
Managing Director of BoI, Dr Olasupo Olusi, described the initiative as an important investment into Nigeria's next generation of entrepreneurs. He said the founders represent the ambition, creativity, and resilience of a new generation of innovators. The programme's National Coordinator, Ife Adebayo, expressed optimism that Nigeria's next set of startups would be incubated through the process as the selected founders will now undergo a 12-week intensive programme focused on mentorship, operational strengthening, business development, and investment preparedness.
