From competition to commercialisation
Nine stages take an idea from the day a competition is launched to the day a product reaches the market, with each stage building on the one before it.
Compete
Finding and selecting Nigeria's most promising ideas.
- Stage 1
Competition Launch
- Announce theme and focus areas
- Call for entries nationwide
- Outreach to schools, universities, startups and innovators
- Engage partners and media
- Stage 2
Registration and Submission
- Teams register online
- Submit proposals or ideas
- Provide required documents
- Initial eligibility screening
- Stage 3
Screening and Shortlisting
- Review submissions against criteria
- Assess innovation, feasibility and impact
- Select top entries for the next stage
- Notify shortlisted teams and provide guidance
Develop and Win
Sharpening the best ideas and rewarding the winners.
- Stage 4
Bootcamp and Mentorship
- Intensive training and capacity building
- Technical and business mentorship
- Refine ideas and solutions
- Prepare for the final pitch
- Stage 5
Final Pitch and Judging
- Finalists pitch to a panel of experts
- Assess innovation, viability and impact
- Select winners and awardees
- Feedback and guidance for further development
- Stage 6
Awards and Recognition
- Grants, seed funding and prizes
- Certificates and national recognition
- Media exposure and publicity
- Access to investor and industry networks
Build and Scale
Turning winning ideas into businesses and products.
- Stage 7
Incubation and Acceleration
- Product development support
- Business incubation
- Access to labs, technology and expertise
- Regulatory and IP support
- Go-to-market readiness
- Stage 8
Investment Readiness
- Prepare a business plan and financial model
- Investor pitching and deal support
- Access to grants, venture capital and strategic partners
- Due diligence support
- Stage 9
Commercialisation and Market Impact
- Launch the product or service to market
- Scale operations
- Attract customers and partnerships
- Create jobs and value
- Track impact and success stories
- Long-term support and alumni network
Support that runs alongside every stage
Behind every stage of the journey is a network of partners, funders and experts, so no innovator has to go it alone.
Partnerships
Industry, government and academia working together to open doors for innovators.
Funding access
Routes to grants, investors and venture capital at the stage each idea needs them.
Networking
Connections to mentors, peers, buyers and experts, both in Nigeria and internationally.
Policy and regulatory support
Guidance on IP registration, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) certification and sector approvals.
Infrastructure and technical support
Access to labs, research facilities and technical expertise to build and test products.
Monitoring and impact tracking
Data on outcomes, an active alumni network and success stories shared with partners and investors.
Impact you can see. Opportunities you can act on.
First look at new ventures
Exclusive access to our annual Investor Demo Day, where pathway innovators present products that are ready to scale.
Option to invest further
A first right to co-invest in, partner with or license the products that reach the manufacturing stage. Terms are agreed with each investor.
Brand visibility
Recognition on our website, at award ceremonies, in media coverage and, for lead investors, naming rights on a prize category or innovation fund.
Measurable impact
Twice-yearly reports covering innovators supported, prototypes built, products certified, jobs created and units manufactured.
Purpose that fits your goals
A credible, reportable way to deliver on CSR, local content and STEM education commitments.
A seat at the table
Lead investors can sit on the review panels that decide which ideas move forward.
Investor FAQ
Innovations that solve Nigerian problems, Sustainable businesses, A stronger Nigeria
The ideas are already here. With your support, they can become products made in Nigerian workshops, by Nigerian hands, solving Nigerian problems.