Nigeria's entrepreneurial landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by a vibrant community of startups and innovators seeking to address pressing societal challenges. At the heart of this movement are incubators and accelerators, which play a crucial role in nurturing early-stage ventures by providing essential resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities. These support organizations are instrumental in fostering innovation, encouraging collaboration, and enabling entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into viable businesses. This article highlights some of the best incubators and accelerators in Nigeria, showcasing their unique offerings and contributions to the growth of the startup ecosystem.

Accelerate Africa

Accelerate Africa is an innovative accelerator program aimed at empowering visionary founders in Africa during the early stages of building global businesses that tackle the continent's key challenges. Over eight weeks, the program supports ten founders by focusing on storytelling, talent acquisition, business development, product development, and fundraising. Led by experienced operators like Iyinoluwa Aboyeji and Mia von Koschitzky-Kimani, participants gain access to a network of over 75 co-investors. Unlike traditional accelerators, Accelerate Africa does not take equity upon admission, offering potential investment opportunities after the program, and creating a unique and supportive environment for African entrepreneurs.

Adaverse

Adaverse is a venture fund and accelerator dedicated to supporting blockchain founders in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa by providing funding, mentorship, and technological infrastructure for scaling Web3 solutions. A collaboration between EMURGO and Everest Ventures Group, Adaverse typically invests between $100,000 and $300,000 in promising projects. With a global presence in cities like Nigeria, Dubai, and London, the accelerator streamlines deal sourcing and offers comprehensive support in token design, fundraising, and legal advice, fostering a vibrant community of entrepreneurs focused on impactful solutions.

ARM Labs

ARM Labs is an innovation incubator focused on helping pre-seed startups in Nigeria grow through its ARM Labs Innovation Program (ALIP). This eight-week program offers tailored mentorship, strategic investment opportunities, and a comprehensive curriculum on business development, including the POEM framework (Proposition, Organization, Economics & Milestones). Startups can receive up to $50,000 in exchange for 6% equity while gaining access to a vast network of industry players and potential investors. Committed to creating a positive and sustainable impact, ARM Labs provides an environment where innovative ideas can thrive and contribute to lasting economic change.

ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator

The ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator is an in-person program designed to support early-stage startups based in Africa, with a focus on fostering innovative solutions that drive economic and social progress on the continent. Techstars provides selected startups with investment opportunities, mentorship, and valuable networking connections. With a commitment of $1.4 million to support 12 startups, the program aims to cultivate impactful ventures while showcasing the potential of African entrepreneurship on a global stage.

Co-Creation Hub

CcHUB is an innovative pre-incubation space and living lab dedicated to fostering creative social tech ventures across Africa. By leveraging a human-centered design approach, CcHUB supports individuals and organizations in applying technology to address commercial and social challenges. The hub facilitates collaborative problem-solving, skill-building, and the development of scalable solutions in areas like smart infrastructure, health, fintech, and education. With a focus on impactful innovation, CcHUB acts as a knowledge platform for entrepreneurs, government entities, and investors, helping to transform ideas into viable products and organizations.

Endeavor Nigeria

Endeavor Nigeria is part of a global community that empowers high-impact entrepreneurs to drive economic transformation. The incubator offers crucial support and investment to help businesses scale quickly while fostering collaboration and mentorship. By connecting emerging leaders with resources and networks, Endeavor Nigeria enhances economic prosperity in underserved markets. The program has successfully supported startups like Flutterwave and Paga, contributing to significant job creation and revenue generation in the local economy.

Enspire

Enspire Incubator is a technology-focused program based in Abuja, Nigeria, designed to support early-stage startups in developing viable businesses. Launched in 2013, it has assisted over 200 startups through a structured approach that includes ideation sessions, mentorship, and access to investors. Enspire's core offerings include a three-month intensive ideation program for innovative entrepreneurs and a 12-week incubation program aimed at startups with a minimum viable product (MVP). With a commitment to fostering economic growth and job creation, Enspire also provides co-working spaces and various resources to help startups thrive in Nigeria's dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.

Founder Institute

The Founder Institute (FI) is a leading global accelerator based in Lagos, Nigeria, dedicated to transforming ideas into fundable startups and scaling them into successful global businesses. Established in 2009, FI has a proven track record, having supported over 7,500 entrepreneurs in raising more than $1.85 billion in funding. The program employs a structured methodology that combines mentorship, peer support, and a rigorous curriculum to guide participants through the challenges of building a startup. With a strong network of startup mentors and partners, FI empowers entrepreneurs with the tools and resources needed to launch impactful technology companies and thrive in the competitive startup landscape.

HiiL Innovation Hub, West Africa

The HiiL Innovation Hub in West Africa is a unique accelerator focused on closing the justice gap through technology and innovation. It offers programs for startups at various stages, including ideation, incubation, acceleration, and scaling, specifically aimed at addressing legal challenges. By providing mentorship, workshops, and grant funding, HiiL supports early-stage justice-tech startups in developing impactful solutions. The Innovating Justice Fund further enhances this ecosystem by investing in seed-stage startups to accelerate their growth and social impact.

Innov8

Innov8 Hub is a not-for-profit organization in Nigeria dedicated to fostering socio-economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship. It serves as a focal point for startup incubation, technology transfer, and skill development, providing aspiring innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs with mentorship, resources, and cutting-edge facilities. Through tailored programs, Innov8 Hub supports participants in transforming ideas into viable ventures, emphasizing the importance of creativity and collaboration to address local challenges and drive sustainable development in the community.

Lagos Innovates

Lagos Innovates is a pioneering initiative by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, designed to support tech founders and startups in Nigeria's vibrant ecosystem. Offering a range of programs, including the Idea Hub, Talent Development, and Workspace Vouchers, it facilitates access to high-quality workspaces, mentorship, and investor networks. Lagos Innovates aims to cultivate a strong pipeline of tech talent and foster innovation, positioning Lagos as a leading startup hub in sub-Saharan Africa. Through these efforts, it empowers entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into impactful solutions, driving economic growth and sustainability in the region.

nHub Nigeria

nHub Nigeria is an innovation community focused on empowering entrepreneurs and young talents through training, incubation, and resources. The hub offers programs like SEVOCODER for youth technology exposure, incubation services for startups, and specialized software development training. By promoting collaboration through community events and mentorship, nHub leverages technology to nurture the next generation of skilled professionals and innovative entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

Orange Corners

Orange Corners Nigeria, an initiative of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands and implemented by the FATE Foundation, aims to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria by empowering youth with essential skills and opportunities. Over the past five years, the program has supported 180 businesses through a comprehensive incubation approach that includes skills development, personalized coaching, and networking events. Aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18-35 with innovative business concepts addressing local challenges can apply for the six-month program, which offers essential training, advisory services, and funding opportunities to help transform their ideas into successful enterprises.

Seedbuilders Nigeria

SeedBuilders is an innovative incubator and accelerator based in Lagos, Abuja, and Nasarawa, dedicated to supporting startups and social projects. By offering services such as business advisory, mentorship, coworking spaces, and access to funding, SeedBuilders empowers entrepreneurs to scale their businesses effectively. The organization emphasizes digital transformation, providing modern technology solutions to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiency. With a mission to build global businesses through intelligence and innovation, SeedBuilders also functions as a knowledge transfer center and community hub for professionals and small to medium enterprises.

Techcircle

TechCircle is a Lagos-based incubator dedicated to empowering African founders in building tech-enabled startups. Leveraging over a decade of industry experience, TechCircle supports emerging businesses through advisory services in product development and fundraising. With a successful portfolio that includes Paystack, the incubator has facilitated over $2 million in funding and has collectively raised more than $50 million for its startups. TechCircle connects local entrepreneurs with global investors and ecosystem partners through various initiatives.

The Bulb Africa

The Bulb Africa is a tech talent incubator focused on bridging the skills gap in Africa's job market by nurturing and equipping rising tech talents through immersive training programs. Committed to creating employment opportunities and helping startups scale, The Bulb aims to inspire the next generation of tech experts with the skills needed for the evolving global landscape. With a vision to be Africa's leading tech platform, it seeks to empower 200 startups, including 50 women-led ventures, and create 20,000 jobs over five years through its fellowship program.

The Nest Innovation Technology Park Ltd

Established in 2018, TheNest Innovation Technology Park has become a vibrant hub for innovation and startups in Nigeria's Yaba region, known as Yabacon Valley. By fostering collaboration among entrepreneurs and corporate partners, TheNest offers a dynamic workspace and supportive community that maximizes productivity and creativity. With a focus on tech innovation and experimentation, TheNest has engaged over 70 clients across various sectors, providing resources and networking opportunities that empower individuals and businesses to explore ideas and expand their networks.

The Scath Companies

The Scath Companies is a hybrid VC firm focused on early-stage seed funding and advisory services for innovative startups addressing critical challenges in emerging and underrepresented regions, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Their accelerator program provides mentorship and financial backing to promising businesses, while the incubator feature offers resource support to scalable tech-driven ventures. By investing in ambitious founders and transformative ideas, The Scath Companies aims to turn Africa's biggest challenges into global business opportunities, ensuring a strong impact on the continent's future.

Tony Elumelu Foundation

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is a leading philanthropic organization dedicated to empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries. Founded in 2010 by Tony O. Elumelu, the foundation focuses on driving economic development and job creation through its Entrepreneurship Programme, which has trained over 1.5 million young Africans and disbursed nearly $100 million in funding to over 20,000 entrepreneurs. TEF is committed to fostering inclusive economic empowerment through mentorship, networking, and partnerships with various organizations, positioning the private sector as a catalyst for Africa's growth.

TVC Labs

TVCLabs is an entrepreneur support organization focused on empowering early-stage tech-enabled ventures in Africa, especially in Nigeria and West Africa. Founded by Tomi Davies, it employs a mentor-driven capital approach and the POEM Framework to guide startup founders from ideation to investment readiness. Offering a 14-week mentoring program for pre-revenue startups, TVCLabs connects founders with a network of angel investors who provide strategic guidance, funding, and networking opportunities, all aimed at fostering innovation and creating lasting economic and social impact.

Ventures Park

Ventures Park is a Pan African enterprise support organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and innovators in building market-creating solutions that democratize prosperity across the continent. With a mission to foster economic growth in Africa, Ventures Park provides an enabling environment through collaborative workspaces, capacity-building programs, and community engagement initiatives. The organization aims to create tailored partnerships and inclusive policies, ultimately facilitating access to resources and opportunities for mission-driven entrepreneurs and practitioners.

Wennovation Hub

Wennovation Hub is a pioneering innovation accelerator/ Incubator in Nigeria, established in 2010, that focuses on empowering early-stage startups and innovators across sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, clean energy, and infrastructure. With modern office spaces in Ikeja, Abuja, Ibadan, and Barbados, the hub provides a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs can access incubation, acceleration, and investment-readiness programs. Through a carefully curated curriculum and mentorship from seasoned experts, Wennovation Hub has successfully supported over 450 startup teams, created more than 12,500 jobs, and raised over $500 million in seed capital, solidifying its role as a vital frontier hub for Africa's problem-solvers.

In a dynamic and challenging environment, the incubators and accelerators in Nigeria are essential catalysts for change, empowering entrepreneurs to turn their visions into reality. By providing vital support in terms of mentorship, resources, and funding, these organizations not only help startups navigate the complexities of the business landscape but also contribute to the nation's broader economic development. As Nigeria continues to establish itself as a hub for innovation in Africa, the ongoing efforts of these incubators and accelerators will be critical in shaping the future of entrepreneurship and driving sustainable growth across various sectors.