Applications are now open for the Female Founders & Funders III Programme, a six-week accelerator designed to support women building innovative startups in Lagos.
The programme provides mentorship, investor readiness training, and direct access to venture capital networks to help female founders scale their ventures and prepare for funding opportunities.
Backed by ecosystem partners including Lagos Innovate and AfriGloCal VC, the initiative targets women-led startups solving real market problems across emerging technology sectors.
Programme Support
Selected founders will receive structured support aimed at strengthening their startups and preparing them for investor engagement.
Expert Mentorship: Participants will receive weekly one-on-one mentorship sessions from experienced founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders.
Investor Readiness: The programme will provide support in refining pitch decks, strengthening financial models, and developing strategies for engaging investors.
Network Access: Founders will gain curated access to venture capitalists, angel investors, corporate partners, and key stakeholders within the startup ecosystem.
Focus Sectors
The programme is open to startups operating in sectors including:
- FinTech
- HealthTech
- EdTech
- AgriTech
- Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
- Climate Tech
Eligibility
Applicants should meet the following criteria:
- Startup must be founded or co-founded by a woman
- The venture should have a working product or minimum viable product (MVP)
- The startup must be solving a clear market problem
- Founders must be operating in Lagos or planning to operate in Lagos State
Programme Timeline
- Applications Open: March 8, 2026
- Application Deadline: April 4, 2026
- Cohort Announcement: April 15, 2026
- Programme Duration: Six weeks (starting April 2026)
- Investor Showcase: June 2026
Investor Showcase
At the end of the programme, selected founders will pitch their startups to a curated audience of venture capital firms, angel investors, corporate innovation leaders, and ecosystem stakeholders.
Participants will receive:
- Access to a curated investor audience
- Structured feedback from investors
- Post-programme momentum for fundraising opportunities
How to Apply
Interested female founders building innovative startups in Lagos can click here to apply before the April 4, 2026 deadline.