FSI Logo

Our Programs

Three integrated pillars — funding, mentorship, and training — designed to work together, not in silos.

Integrated Support

Not just money. Not just advice.

Most programs give you one piece. We give you all three, timed to when you actually need them. You get capital to build, a mentor to avoid mistakes, and training to execute — all in a 12-week sprint.

💰 Funding

Non-dilutive grants from ₦750k to ₦7.5m. No equity taken. Use for product, hires, or growth.

See grant tiers →

🤝 Mentorship

Matched with an operator who's built in Africa. Not a coach — someone who's shipped.

Meet mentors →

🎓 Training

Practical, not theoretical. Build in public with weekly deliverables.

View curriculum →

The 12-Week Journey

We don't dump everything on day one. Each phase builds on the last.

WEEKS 1-3

Foundation

Problem validation, customer interviews, refine MVP. First grant tranche released.

WEEKS 4-6

Build

Product sprint, pricing tests, first 10 customers. Mentor deep dives.

WEEKS 7-9

Grow

GTM playbook, hiring first roles, metrics dashboard. Second tranche.

WEEKS 10-12

Raise

Pitch prep, investor intros, demo day. Graduate to alumni network.

Who this is for (and not for)

You have an MVP or early traction

Not just an idea. You've talked to users or built something.

You're full-time or going full-time

This is intense. Side projects rarely make it through.

You're building in Africa, for Africa

Diaspora welcome, but focus must be African markets.

Not for: agencies, crypto trading, import/export

We fund tech-enabled startups solving real problems.

What you commit

  • 5 hours/week for workshops & mentor calls
  • Weekly progress updates (public in cohort)
  • Help 2 other founders per month after graduation
  • Share learnings openly (we build in public)

Time commitment is real. We've had founders drop out because they underestimated it. Be honest with yourself.

What happens after?

We're new, so we don't have 100 success stories yet. Here's what we're optimizing for:

70%

Target: founders still operating 12 months later (industry avg is 40%)

3x

Target: revenue or user growth during program

1

Warm intro to investors who've backed our mentors

We're tracking these metrics publicly. First cohort results published December 2026.

Common questions

Do I have to give up equity?

No. Grants are non-dilutive. Mentorship and training are included. We may ask for a small option to invest in your next round at market terms, but it's optional.

Can I apply if I'm solo?

Yes, but we strongly prefer teams of 2-3. Solo founders have a harder time. We'll help you find a co-founder during the program if needed.

What if I don't get the grant?

You still get access to training and community. About 40% of applicants get funding, 100% get the program if accepted.

Apply for 2026 Cohort

Applications close July 31 • Decisions by August 15