Bet9ja Foundation opens applications for Startup Accelerator in Nigeria
ScaleUp Business Accelerator programme offers grants and mentorship to help Nigerian startups expand and scale.
Nigeria.- The Bet9ja Foundation has opened applications for the second edition of its ScaleUp Business Accelerator, expanding support for Nigerian startups as part of its broader corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The programme provides funding, mentorship and structured business training to early-stage companies seeking to scale their operations across Nigeria.
The initiative forms part of the foundation’s social impact strategy linked to Bet9ja, one of the country’s largest sports betting operators, and reflects a growing trend of gaming industry companies supporting entrepreneurship and community development.
The accelerator is designed to help founders strengthen and grow their ventures. The programme “equips early-stage businesses with the tools and support needed to scale sustainably and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development”, according to Opportunity Desk.
Selected startups will participate in a structured accelerator programme focused on refining business models, improving operational capacity and expanding market reach.
Participants will receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, alongside training sessions covering areas such as business strategy, growth planning and investor readiness. The programme also provides networking opportunities with investors and potential partners.
Funding and eligibility
Funding is a central component of the accelerator. Up to 10 startups are expected to be selected, with each eligible to receive grants of up to ₦3m (€1,700). At the end of the programme, participants will pitch their businesses during a final demo event, where the overall winner may secure an additional ₦2m grant (€1,100).
The grants are non-dilutive, meaning founders retain full ownership of their businesses and do not give up equity in exchange for funding. The accelerator targets startups that have already begun generating revenue and demonstrate strong potential for expansion.
Eligible companies must be registered in Nigeria and operate across sectors including agritech, fintech, health technology, logistics, manufacturing, retail and the creative industries.
The programme will run for approximately ten weeks, with founders participating in workshops, mentoring sessions and investor engagement activities designed to strengthen their ventures. Applications for the 2026 cohort opened on April 1 and will close on April 30.
