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Startup Grants for African Founders

Non-dilutive funding from ₦750k to ₦7.5m. No equity taken. Built for founders building in Africa.

Why non-dilutive?

Most African founders give away 10-20% too early because it's the only capital available. We provide grants so you can hit meaningful milestones before raising priced equity. Keep ownership, prove traction, raise on your terms.

0% equity

Keep full ownership

Fast

Decision in 21 days

Local

Paid in Naira or equivalent

Eligibility

We especially encourage:

Female founders, teams outside Lagos/Nairobi, and startups solving real infrastructure problems.

Grant Categories

General Startup Grant

For founders across all industries with clear traction or MVP. Use for product, marketing, hiring, or operations.

₦750,000 – ₦7,500,000

Apply Now

Youth Grant

Ages 18-35. For early-stage founders turning ideas into businesses.

₦750,000 – ₦3,000,000

Apply Now

Women in Business Grant

For female-led startups across all sectors.

₦1,500,000 – ₦4,500,000

Apply Now

Innovation & Tech Grant

Health, EdTech, Agri, Fintech, Climate. Impact-driven startups.

₦3,000,000 – ₦7,500,000

Apply Now

How funding works

50%

Upfront

On acceptance

30%

Milestone 1

After 6 weeks progress

20%

Milestone 2

Demo day completion

We release in tranches to ensure accountability, not to control you.

What you can use funds for

✓ Product development
✓ Cloud/hosting costs
✓ First 1-2 hires
✓ Marketing & customer acquisition
✓ Legal & registration
✓ Equipment
✗ Personal expenses
✗ Crypto trading

Application Process

Simple, transparent, fast.

1

Apply

15-min form. Tell us problem, solution, traction.

2

Screen

We review for clarity and fit. 7 days.

3

Interview

20-min call with our team. 14 days.

4

Fund

Decision in 21 days. Money in 7 days after.

Frequently asked

Do I repay the grant?

No. It's a grant, not a loan. No equity, no repayment.

What if I'm not Nigerian?

We pay in local currency equivalent via Flutterwave. Available across Africa.

Can I apply to multiple categories?

No, choose one. We'll move you if you're a better fit elsewhere.

Is the ₦1,000 fee refundable?

No, it covers processing. It prevents spam applications.

2026 Cohort

Applications close July 31

50 spots. Decision in 21 days.

Choose Your Grant