GOSIMA Innovation Fund 2026 for Nigerian Entrepreneurs (Up to ₦10 million Grant Funding)

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Applications are open for GOSIMA Innovation Fund 2026. The Gosima Innovation Fund, powered by SMFEST and The Lamora Lagos, identifies, trains, and funds exceptional young founders aged 18–35 building scalable tech-enabled solutions across Africa.

The Gosima Innovation Fund is a national startup accelerator and grant program designed to support early-stage and growth-stage entrepreneurs building tech-enabled businesses. They go beyond training to provide intensive accelerator support, structured mentorship, business validation, grant funding, and national visibility. This initiative is powered by Gosima Group in partnership with SMFEST and The Lamora Lagos.

Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is thriving, but many promising startups struggle to access the resources, mentorship, and capital needed to scale. The Gosima Innovation Fund bridges this gap by providing a comprehensive support system that transforms innovative ideas into sustainable, high-growth businesses.

GOSIMA Innovation Fund Benefits

Comprehensive support to help your startup succeed with the Gosima Innovation Fund

4-Week Accelerator Program
- Intensive workshops on business model validation and product development
- Go-to-market strategy sessions with industry experts
- Pitch training and investor readiness preparation
- Networking with fellow entrepreneurs and mentors
Mentorship
- One-on-one guidance from successful entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders who have built and scaled businesses in Africa.
Funding Opportunity
- Top 10 finalists will pitch at SMFEST for a share of ₦10M in grant funding provided by the Gosima Innovation Fund
- Winner
  - ₦5,000,000
  - Grand prize for the top startup
- First Runner-Up
  - ₦3,000,000
  - Second place recognition
- Second Runner-Up
  - ₦2,000,000
  - Third place achievement

Eligibility Criteria

They are looking for ambitious Nigerian entrepreneurs with innovative, tech-enabled solutions that can scale through the Gosima Innovation Fund.

Young Nigerians
- Ages 18-35 with innovative business ideas
Tech-enabled founders
- Leveraging technology to solve real problems
- Proven traction
- MVP, active users, revenue, or partnerships
Multiple sectors
- Fintech, Healthtech, Edtech, Agritech, E-commerce, and more
Important requirements
- CAC registered business
- Business bank account
- 3-month growth strategy
- Attend all accelerator sessions

GOSIMA Innovation Fund Program Journey

From application to grand finale with the Gosima Innovation Fund

Application: Submit Your Application
- Complete the online application form with your business details and pitch video
Top 50: Accelerator Program
- 4-week intensive training, mentorship, and business validation
Top 10: Finalist Selection
- Top 10 startups selected for the grand finale pitch competition
Grand Finale: Live Pitch at SMFEST
- Present to judges and audience, compete for ₦10M in grant funding

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on these key factors

Problem-Solution Fit
- How well does your product solve a real, significant problem?
Traction & Market Validation
- Evidence of user adoption, revenue, or partnerships
Scalability Potential
- Can your business grow rapidly and serve a large market?
Innovation
- How unique and differentiated is your solution?
Founder Capability
- Team experience, skills, and commitment to execute
Clarity of Execution Plan
- Clear roadmap for growth and use of grant funding