Co-creation Hub & Next Economy call for applications to the NextEconomy Grow Your Business Accelerator. The Next Economy empowers African youth to unleash their talent, build their confidence and hone skills required to be successful as entrepreneurs. The accelerator programme is poised to empower startups, with the potential to grow their business to create more jobs.

The Next Economy is part of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Local Employment in Africa for Development (L.E.A.D.) programme. The Next Economy is a collaboration between SOS Children’s Villages, 1%Club, Enviu and Afrilabs.

The 3-month accelerator is tailored to help early-stage startups grow their enterprise towards profitable businesses. Selected startups would get the opportunity to leverage modern tools in building products that solve real problems for their customers and learn how to use feedback to create a clear competitive advantage.

What You Stand to Gain

• Get access to a network of mentors, business coaches and industry leaders who can support your start-up in its growth phase.
• Create a successful Growth Development plan.
• Receive hands-on, intensive trainings on: business development, product innovation & branding, and more.
• Learn from workshops on growth hacking, partnership management and creative marketing strategies.
• Get the opportunity to pitch your idea to potential investors during a Demo Day.
• 300,000 NGN and 600,000 NGN as cash grant for top two startups.

At the end of the accelerator program, the startups take part in a demo day; giving them the opportunity to showcase their solutions to members of the public and the media.

We invite those in and around Lagos, Nigeria to submit their applications for a chance to join the accelerator program.

Click here to apply!

Application Deadline is May 13th, 2017.

FAQs

What types of startups does Next Economy consider?

Our focus is on innovative startups which can scale and provide jobs, direct and indirect, as they scale.

Can startups outside Lagos be enrolled into the program?

Startups outside Lagos can register for the program. If selected, however, startups would be required to be physically available in Lagos for the boot camp and 3-month accelerator programme.

Can startups which are not tech-based apply to the program?

We are open to technology based and technology enabled solutions. Startups with tech in their DNA have a higher likelihood to scale.

How many people can participate in the programme from each organisation?

Each startup can be represented by a maximum of 2 people. Each representative enrolled must be consistently present and actively involved.

What topics would be covered in the accelerator?

Growth Planning, Product Innovation & branding, Creative marketing strategies, Customer Experience Management, Data mining & Intelligence Gathering, Partnership management and Organizational Development.

When is the timeline?

Call for Applications close on May 13th while the boot camp holds on June 1st and 2nd.