• Young Nigerian founders can now apply for the second cohort of the iDICE Startup Bridge programme aimed at supporting promising startups
• The programme could open doors to mentorship, investor connections and business support for early-stage innovators
• Here's a detailed guide on who should apply, why it matters, and how to avoid missing the application deadline

Do you have a startup that you think is too small to get noticed? You could be making the biggest mistake of your entrepreneurial journey.

Every week, thousands of young Nigerians tweet about funding problems, investor rejection and how hard it is to build a startup in today's economy.

A new opportunity has opened that could put your startup in front of mentors, investors and ecosystem builders, if you move before everyone else does.

What is the iDICE Startup Bridge programme?

iDICE stands for Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises, a Federal Government programme launched in 2023 with a war chest of $617.7 million funding, co-financed by African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and Islamic Development Bank.

The government is trying to build Nigeria's next generation of tech and creative founders, and Startup Bridge is the arm that hands out training, mentorship, and actual money.

The iDICE Startup Bridge programme is designed to help promising startups strengthen their businesses through mentorship, capacity building, networking and exposure to investment opportunities.

Now, applications for Cohort 2 have officially opened.

For founders trying to move from "great idea" to "real business," this could be one of the most valuable opportunities available this year.

Why young Nigerians should care

The numbers from Cohort 1 already proved that this is not "another government scam programme," as 185 founders onboarded across all 36 states and the FCT through 49 innovation hubs.

Women entrepreneurs accounted for 38% of the cohort, surpassing the programme's 30% gender inclusion target. So no, this isn't a boys' club.

Top performers in the programme can access up to N10,000,000 in grant funding through the programme and cohort Demo Day. Non-equity. That means nobody is coming to collect a percentage of your company for this money.

Building a startup in Nigeria isn't just about having a brilliant app anymore.

You need connections, people who've made the mistakes before you, and access to investors who are willing to bet on your vision.

That's exactly why programmes like this keep attracting attention across Nigeria's growing tech ecosystem.

Who can apply?

The programme is expected to target startups and founders looking to grow innovative businesses.

Before you rush to fill that form, make sure you check these boxes:

• You must be between 18 and 35 years old.
• You're a Nigerian entrepreneur with a tech-driven idea or early prototype
• You can commit to the full 12-week programme
• You're ready to show up for learning sessions, assignments, evaluations, and Demo Day
• Have plans to operate in Nigeria.
• You want to have better understanding of your market, customers, and business model

If you're the type that always "start something" and abandon it in the second month, be honest with yourself before you apply.

Read every requirement carefully before submitting your application.

What successful applicants could receive

This isn't a one-day webinar where you'll be given a certificate and disappear. Founders Lab is a proper 12-week structured programme combining online learning and assessments, expert-led masterclasses, one-on-one mentorship, and in-person engagements at innovation hubs near you.

It's designed to move you from "I get an idea for an app" to "I have a validated business model I can actually pitch."

The programme runs on what they call a performance-based progression model, the harder you grind and hit milestones, the more funding access you unlock along the way. Lazy applicants who ghost after week 2? That funding door quietly shuts on them.

For many founders, these connections can become just as valuable as funding itself.

The mistake many founders make

Applications for Cohort 2 opened on 24th of June, 2026 and the portal closes on 26th of July, 2026. That's not a lot of time.

A lot of entrepreneurs wait until the final day before applying. That usually means rushed applications, incomplete documents and avoidable mistakes.

If you're interested, start preparing now.

Review your pitch deck, update your business information, and make sure your story is clear.

Because opportunities don't always reward the smartest founder, they often reward the most prepared one.

How to apply

Applications are now open for iDICE Startup Bridge Cohort 2.

Prospective applicants should complete the official application process through the programme's designated platform.

Before clicking submit, double-check:

• Your business details.
• Your contact information.
• Supporting documents.
• Your startup description.
• Any required pitch materials.

Why this matters for Nigeria's startup scene

Nigeria continues to produce ambitious founders despite economic challenges.

Every new accelerator, incubator and startup support programme creates another pathway for innovators to turn ideas into sustainable businesses.

Whether you're building in fintech, healthtech, agritech, edtech, AI, climate tech or another sector, opportunities like this can provide the push needed to reach the next level.

EGC 2026: Inside Nigeria's iGaming boom, what it means for local tech builders

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Nigeria's iGaming industry is growing beyond betting apps, creating fresh opportunities for developers, designers, payment startups, and gaming infrastructure builders.

Enugu Gaming Conference (EGC) 2026 is expected to bring together gaming operators, regulators, investors, and tech innovators to discuss the future of the industry.

Here's how young Nigerians who understand gaming technology today could be positioning themselves for some of tomorrow's biggest digital jobs and startup opportunities.