Top Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos is Nigeria's biggest city and the business heart of West Africa. Beyond its busy streets and markets, Lagos has become Africa's most exciting place for startups and new businesses. With a young population, growing internet access, and increasing investment, the city is solving local problems through innovation and creating companies that serve Nigeria and beyond.

This guide explores the leading accelerators and incubators shaping Lagos's evolving startup landscape. These programs support domestic and international startups seeking to establish themselves in the Nigerian market.

Top 20 Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Lagos, Nigeria

1. Co-Creation Hub (CcHub)

Target Audience: Tech and social impact startups

Niche: Innovation support

CcHub was Nigeria's first innovation hub when it opened in 2010, paving the way for others. It offers different programs: a 6-month pre-incubation with $5,000 funding, a 12-month incubation with $25,000, and a 12-week accelerator offering up to $250,000. It provides mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and business experts. It also offers office space and connections to a global network of partners.

2. Wennovation Hub

Target Audience: Social impact startups

Niche: Education, agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure

Wennovation Hub has been supporting social impact startups since 2010 in Lagos. It runs a 4-month incubation program focused on businesses that solve important social problems. It provides up to $10,000 in funding alongside free office space for selected startups. It also offers mentorship to help entrepreneurs overcome common challenges.

3. ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator

Target Audience: Fintech and property tech startups

Niche: Financial and real estate innovation

ARM Labs Lagos Techstars was launched in 2022 as a partnership bringing global expertise to Lagos. It focuses specifically on financial technology and property technology startups. It provides up to $120,000 in investment for selected companies showing strong potential. It also connects founders with Techstars' worldwide network of mentors and investors.

4. Adaverse

Target Audience: Blockchain startups

Niche: Blockchain technology

Adaverse is a newer accelerator established in 2021 focusing on blockchain innovation. It runs a 12-week program powered by EMURGO and Cardano for blockchain startups. It offers substantial funding of up to $500,000 for promising blockchain ventures. It also provides workshops and mentorship specifically for blockchain business development.

5. LeadPath Nigeria

Target Audience: Software, mobile, and data companies

Niche: Digital technology

LeadPath Nigeria has been operating since 2015 to support technology ventures. It focuses on software applications, mobile solutions, and big data companies. It provides seed funding ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for selected startups and offers business support to help companies grow and reach more customers.

6. Itanna

Target Audience: Tech-enabled businesses

Niche: Disruptive technology

Itanna launched in 2018 to support businesses using technology in new and innovative ways. It runs a four-month accelerator program that provides $30,000 in funding to selected companies. It offers mentorship from experienced business leaders and industry experts and connects startups with its network of potential investors and partners.

7. Startupbootcamp AfriTech (Lagos)

Target Audience: Early-stage tech startups

Niche: African technology solutions

Startupbootcamp AfriTech is part of a global network that has had a strong presence in Lagos since 2017. It runs a three-month program that provides $17,000 in funding and access to over $450,000 in partner services. It offers intensive mentorship focused on rapid growth and market expansion and creates connections with corporate partners and investors.

8. Founder Institute Lagos

Target Audience: Very early-stage founders

Niche: Business fundamentals

Founder Institute Lagos is the local chapter of the world's largest pre-seed accelerator, active since 2014. It offers a 4-month program teaching essential startup skills and business development. It provides mentorship from successful entrepreneurs who have built companies in Nigeria. It also helps connect founders with funding opportunities after completing the program.

9. Startup Wise Guys Africa

Target Audience: B2B software startups

Niche: Business software solutions

Startup Wise Guys Africa expanded to Africa in 2021 after success in Europe since 2012. It runs a five-month accelerator focused on business-to-business software companies. It provides up to €65,000 (about $70,000) in funding for selected startups and offers access to a global network of mentors and investors.

10. FasterCapital

Target Audience: Tech startups needing development help

Niche: Technical co-founding

FasterCapital has been operating since 2010 with a different approach to startup support. It offers two main programs lasting 3-6 months for different startup needs. Its Tech Cofounder program builds the technical product and provides 50% of development costs. It also runs a Raise Capital program that helps startups connect with investors.

11. Enspire Incubator

Target Audience: Startups with a working product

Niche: Business development

Enspire Incubator was established in 2013 to help startups with a basic product. It runs a three-month incubation program with training and mentoring for business growth. It connects startups with potential investors interested in Nigerian companies and provides networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs and business leaders.

12. Lagos Innovates Idea Hub

Target Audience: Early-stage tech startups

Niche: Government-backed innovation

Lagos Innovates was launched in 2017 by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund. It runs a 12-week program that helps early-stage tech startups build their first products. It provides a workspace where entrepreneurs can develop their ideas in a supportive environment and offers business support from advisors with experience in the Lagos market.

13. GoDo Hub

Target Audience: Entrepreneurs from underserved communities

Niche: Inclusive entrepreneurship

GoDo Hub was created in 2018 to make entrepreneurship more accessible to all Nigerians. It provides tailored support for entrepreneurs from communities with fewer resources. It offers mentorship and training programs designed for first-time business founders. It also provides co-working spaces where entrepreneurs can work and collaborate.

14. Startup Grind Lagos

Target Audience: Tech entrepreneurs

Niche: Community and events

Startup Grind Lagos has been active since 2013 as part of a global entrepreneurship network. It organizes regular events where founders can learn and connect with each other. Through its community of experienced entrepreneurs, it offers mentorship opportunities. It also runs an accelerator program that helps connect startups with investors.

15. MEST Africa (Lagos)

Target Audience: Tech entrepreneurs

Niche: Pan-African networking

MEST Africa opened its Lagos hub in 2018, building on its success in Ghana since 2008. It offers training programs and seed funding up to $100,000 for promising tech ventures. It provides access to a network that spans multiple African countries and markets and helps startups develop products that can work across different African contexts.

16. Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme

Target Audience: Early-stage entrepreneurs across sectors

Niche: Pan-African entrepreneurship

Tony Elumelu Foundation has supported entrepreneurs across Africa since 2010. It provides $5,000 in seed capital alongside training and mentorship for new businesses. It runs a comprehensive program designed to help entrepreneurs start and grow their companies. It also creates a community of African entrepreneurs who support each other.

17. Venture Garden Group (VGIF Accelerator)

Target Audience: Tech startups in specific sectors

Niche: Fintech, education, and energy

Venture Garden Group launched its accelerator in 2014, focusing on key sectors. It supports technology startups in the financial services, education, and energy sectors. It provides strategic guidance and connections to industry partners and offers funding support to help companies grow and expand their solutions.

AcceleratorApp's Closing Thoughts on Startup Accelerators and Incubators in Lagos, Nigeria

What makes Lagos special is how it combines challenges with opportunities. The city's entrepreneurs are solving real problems from traffic and payments to healthcare and education using technology and creative thinking. This focus on fixing everyday issues has created startups that work not just in Nigeria but across Africa.

Lagos's support system for startups has grown quickly over the past decade. From just a few hubs in 2010, the city now has dozens of organizations helping entrepreneurs at every stage. Both local and international investors are taking notice, bringing more money and expertise to the ecosystem.

Lagos startups stand out because they understand local markets deeply while building solutions that can work globally. Many founders have experience in international companies but choose to apply that knowledge to African challenges. This combination of local insight and global ambition creates businesses with strong foundations.

As Lagos continues to grow as Africa's leading startup hub, it faces challenges like infrastructure and funding gaps. But the energy, talent, and determination of the city's entrepreneurs keep pushing the ecosystem forward. For founders looking to create impact in one of the world's fastest-growing markets, Lagos offers the challenges and opportunities leading to innovative, resilient companies.