The Female Founders & Funders Program is designed for female entrepreneurs in Lagos who are building bold ventures and are prepared to grow their startups, connect with investors, and scale their operations. This initiative aims to provide the necessary resources and network to facilitate their next stage of growth.
Program Support
• Expert Mentorship: Participants receive weekly one-on-one guidance from experienced founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders to accelerate their growth.
• Investor Readiness: The program offers support in refining pitch decks, financial models, and investor engagement strategies to effectively attract capital.
• Network Access: Founders gain curated connections to venture capitalists, angel investors, corporate partners, and key ecosystem stakeholders.
Program Impact
• Founders Supported: Over 33 female founders have been supported across the program's first two editions.
• Investors Trained: More than 24 aspiring female investors have been trained through hands-on learning experiences.
• Prizes Awarded: Over ₦9 million in prizes have been distributed to top-performing founders.
• Mentors Engaged: The program has engaged more than 30 industry mentors to support cohort growth and delivery.
Key Dates
• Applications Open: 8 March 2026
• Application Deadline: 4 April 2026
• Cohort Announcement: 15 April 2026
• Programme Duration: 6 Weeks, commencing in April 2026
• Investor Showcase: June 2026
Eligibility Criteria
The program is designed for female founders building innovative startups in Lagos State. Applicants should meet the following criteria:
• Founder Status: The startup must be founded or co-founded by a woman.
• Product Stage: Applicants must have a working product or a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
• Market Problem: The venture should be solving a clear market problem.
• Location: The startup must be operating or planning to operate in Lagos.
Focus Sectors
• FinTech
• HealthTech
• EdTech
• AgriTech
• AI/ML
• Climate Tech
Investor Showcase
• Pitch Opportunity: Selected founders will have the opportunity to pitch to venture capital firms, angel investors, corporate innovation leaders, and key ecosystem stakeholders.
• Audience: The event features a curated audience of investors.
• Feedback Mechanism: A structured feedback loop is provided to participants.
• Post-Programme Support: The showcase is designed to create post-programme funding momentum.
The Female Founders & Funders Program offers a focused pathway for Lagos-based women founders to sharpen execution, strengthen investor readiness, and build high-value connections. Through mentorship, practical support, and a curated Investor Showcase, participants can translate traction into a clearer growth story and stronger funding momentum. For founders with an MVP and ambition to scale, this cohort is a structured sprint to accelerate the next stage of their venture.