GEN Nigeria operates the following programs:
- Entrepreneurship World Cup | Nigeria
- Startup Huddle Nigeria
- Venture Building Program
- Entrepreneurs Lounge
- Nigeria Village
- GEN Nigeria Night
- AgroHack Challenge
- Creative Business Cup | Nigeria
- Global Entrepreneurship Week | Nigeria
Entrepreneurship World Cup | Nigeria
Every year, tens of thousands of entrepreneurs from 200 countries compete for US $1 million in cash prizes and millions more worth of investment, support and publicity through national pitch competitions, bootcamps and a global finals event attended by leading investors. The Entrepreneurship World Cup accepts applications on an annual basis with a deadline of July 31. The EWC Global Finals occurs in November.
In Nigeria, EWC is organized by GEN Nigeria. Launched in 2019, EWC highlights the country's burgeoning startup ecosystem by providing a platform for local entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas and compete on a global stage. The significance of the event lies in its ability to connect Nigerian startups with mentors, investors, and resources essential for their growth and success.
Winning the competition not only brings recognition, but also offers the opportunity to pitch at the Global Finals, where participants stands a chance to win the grand prize. This elevates the stakes for participants, motivating them to bring their A-game and demonstrating the transformative potential of entrepreneurship in Nigeria and beyond. Overall, EWC Nigeria underscores the importance of fostering entrepreneurship as a tool for economic development and global innovation.
For more information, click here.
Apply now via the EWC Application Portal.
Startup Huddle | Nigeria
Startup Huddle builds local startup communities while crowd-sourcing advice and support, one entrepreneur at a time. Run by the Global Entrepreneurship Network, it consists of weekly or monthly gatherings of local community and business leaders, founders, ecosystem builders, investors and others interested in helping startups flourish.
GEN Nigeria launched Startup Huddle in Lagos and Abuja in 2023. The structured program provides a platform for local entrepreneurs to receive feedback and share ideas from their peers and mentors about how to move their venture forward. Its importance lies in fostering community, facilitating knowledge sharing, offering feedback and validation, providing access to resources, promoting innovation, and nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Overall, the program contributes to economic growth, job creation, and the development of a vibrant startup ecosystem in Nigeria.
Venture Builder Program
In partnership with the Enterprise Development Center (EDC), the Venture Builder Program is designed to equip startups with the right environment and tools to help improve their innovations to market level and gain access to finance. The Program's holistic approach to startup support encompasses both the iteration and refinement of innovations and the facilitation of financial resources.
Emphasis is placed on specific sectors to maximize impact and address key areas of innovation, these are: Agrictech, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Edutech, Fintech, and creative enterprises. GEN Nigeria's objectives are to:
- Unleash a new crop of innovative startups through the program
- Create a pipeline for investors, venture capital firms and other financial organizations
- Create an enabling environment to innovate, create and launch new solutions for some of the challenges faced by Africans.
The program design includes components that contribute to the overall business and include: Business Mentoring, Capacity Training, Lab Days, Demo Days, and collaboration with technical partners such as Fabricators, Technology Partners (Innov8), Venture Capitals, and legal specialists in patents and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Entrepreneurs Lounge
Inaugurated in Nigeria in June 2024, the Entrepreneurs Lounge serves as a dynamic hub for entrepreneurs to network, collaborate, and access resources in a relaxed environment. Its significance lies in fostering a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurial growth, promoting innovation, facilitating knowledge exchange, offering mentorship opportunities, and connecting entrepreneurs with investors and industry experts. By providing a laid-back atmosphere for networking, the lounge encourages informal interactions and relationships, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among entrepreneurs.
Nigeria Village
The Nigeria Village, launched by GEN Nigeria during the 2024 GEC+Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, provides a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products and businesses on a global stage. Its importance lies in creating investment opportunities, fostering networking, and increasing visibility for participating businesses. By bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, the Nigeria Village facilitates connections, collaborations, and partnerships that drive business growth and innovation.
Nigeria Night
Launched in 2017, Nigeria Night is an annual event that celebrates entrepreneurship and innovation in Nigeria. It provides a crucial platform for networking, collaboration, and recognition of entrepreneurial achievements. The event brings together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and stakeholders to foster partnerships, showcase success stories, and promote a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria.
Serving as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and the advancement of innovative solutions to societal challenges, Nigeria Night enhances the visibility of Nigeria's entrepreneurial ecosystem on the global stage at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC). With delegates from around the world, the event enriches the business landscape, opening doors for Nigerian business delegates to expand their horizons, cultivate valuable connections, and foster deeper collaborations globally, all aimed at elevating Nigeria's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
AgroHack Challenge
The AgroHack Challenge, launched in 2020, aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria's agricultural sector. It encourages participants to develop innovative solutions to pressing agricultural problems, leveraging technology and entrepreneurship. Its importance lies in promoting agricultural innovation, addressing food security challenges, stimulating economic growth in rural areas, empowering smallholder farmers, and fostering the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. By supporting startups and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, the AgroHack Challenge contributes to the modernization and transformation of Nigeria's agricultural industry, growing the food sector, increasing output and profitability for farmers, creating new jobs and increasing food security in Nigeria, and ultimately driving socio-economic development and improving livelihoods.
The AgroHack Challenge is seeking innovative ideas across the value chain of the agriculture industry. These ideas will be accelerated to create new opportunities for many young Nigerians. Participants stand a chance to win up to one million naira and participate in a five-day enterprise boot camp where they will receive Intense mentorship from a pool of international mentors, business support services, and access to investors, potential clients and new market opportunities.
Applications are open.
Creative Business Cup | Nigeria
Creative Business Cup Nigeria, launched in 2019, is aimed at fostering creativity and innovation within Nigeria's business landscape. It serves as a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs and startups in creative industries such as design, fashion, music, and arts to showcase their talents, network with industry professionals, and access funding opportunities. The competition not only promotes economic growth by supporting creative ventures but also helps build a sustainable ecosystem for creative entrepreneurship. Its importance lies in nurturing homegrown talent, driving innovation, and contributing to the country's economic diversification efforts.
Applications are open.
Global Entrepreneurship Week | Nigeria
Global Entrepreneurship Week is a celebration of innovators who dream big and launch startups that bring ideas to life. GEW reaches millions of people of all ages and backgrounds through local, national and global events and activities. During one week each November, partners around the world hold events and competitions to celebrate and support local entrepreneurs.
In Nigeria, GEW encompasses various activities including the GEW Walk, seven days of GEW Radio, Women Enterprise Day, youth entrepreneurial dialogue and an award ceremony. These initiatives celebrate, empower, and promote entrepreneurship across the country, fostering inclusivity, knowledge exchange, and policy advocacy. GEW serves as a tool for social empowerment, growth and inspiration for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, making it a crucial event in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Launched in Nigeria in November 2010, GEW is a global celebration of innovators who dream big and launch startups that bring ideas to life. GEW reaches millions of people of all ages and backgrounds through local, national and global events and activities. During one week each November, we come together to celebrate and support our local entrepreneurs.
For more information, see: GEW Nigeria
