Applications open for Founders Institute Lagos 2019 programme

Silicon Valley-based pre-seed startup accelerator Founder Institute has opened applications for the Lagos 2019 programme.

The Founder Institute provides entrepreneurs with the support network and structured process needed to build an enduring company.

The institute claims that since its inception in 2009 it has helped over 3500 graduates to raise over $800-million in funding, get accepted into seed-accelerators, generate traction, as well as build teams and products.

The accelerator launched a Lagos chapter last month.

Nigerian tech publication TechNext.ng said in an article last month that the Lagos chapter will be led by VAS Digimobility CEO Fasuyi Oluwarotimi, GoDo.ng co-founder Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr, Wave5 Wireless founder and CEO Wande Adalemo and Maisematrix Consulting co-founder Eze Ifedy.

Early applications for the Founder Institute Lagos 2019 programme close on 28 April

Early applications for Founder Institute’s Lagos 2019 Semester will close on 28 April, while the final admissions deadline is 2 June.

Those that apply before the early deadline will take a free Predictive Admissions Assessment which is normally priced at $25, and will be eligible for an early course fee of $399. Applicants who apply after the early deadline will pay a course fee of $499.

Latest company-building curriculum

In an article last month, Disrupt Africa reported that Founder Institute’s Lagos programme will include the institute’s latest company-building curriculum which aims to address the needs of both new entrepreneurs and advanced founders at the minimum viable product (MVP) stage.

The Founder Institute says its three and half month programme was created using Silicon Valley best practices.

Each week in the programme, participating founders attend an in-person three-hour session to pitch the mentors and receive training, evaluation, and feedback.

After each session, founders then build their businesses for the rest of the week through a series of practical assignments, office hours, and group meetings.

On completing the programme, participants are expected to have a well-formed company, local network of experienced entrepreneurs and investors, formal advisory board of top mentors, significant product progress and a significant number of leads and customers.

Lagos events

Over the next couple of weeks, to celebrate the launch of the Lagos chapter, Founder Institute will host several startup events in the city.

These events will provide attendees an opportunity to learn more about the programme and meet top entrepreneurs.

Some of these include:

• The Art of the Pitch: Learn from Africa’s Top CEOs on 9 April
• Lagos Startup Clinic: Get Feedback from Experts on 23 April
• Founder Hotseat: Pitch Your Startup to Lagos Startup Experts on 9 May
• Startup Funding in Lagos: How to Raise Money for Your Idea on 23 May
• Founder Institute VIP Launch Mixer on 30 May

Founder Institute Lagos mentors

In a statement last month, Founder Institute released the names of the mentors who will provide training, feedback and evaluation at its Lagos programme.

These include:
VConnect founder Deepankar Rustagi
Optiweb Communication CEO Adeleye Timothy
Xpos Technologies director Adeoye Abodurin
SB Telecoms and Devices CEO Afolabi Abiodun
Space Guerilla founder and CEO Aimuan Ogboghodo
Akin Fadeyi Foundation founder and CEO Akin Fadeyi
IDM Services CEO Atul Kshetry
Pickme Technology Solutions co-founder Augustine Ogee
Smooth Promotions founder and CEO Ayo Animashaun
Synergon Infrastructure Limited managing director and CEO Babafemi Lawal
Social Lender co-founder Bade Adesemowo
3 Way Communications founder and CEO Biodun Ogunlabi
Crestsage Limited CEO Charles Emembolu
Swift Networks CEO Charles Anudu
InfoGraphics Nigeria CEO Chinenye Mba Uzoukwu
Clemas Garment Co. founder and CEO Clement Efanga
Startup Builder founder and CEO David Olaniyan
PZ Cussons head for digital marketing in Africa Dayo Adefila
Digital Encode founder and COO Peter Adewale Obadare
Interswitch Group head for transformation and excellence Ehia Erhaboh
AML founder and practice director Emilia Asim Ita
Cars45.com CEO Etop Ikpe
Fullware Solutions CEO Fadiora Kunle
ActivEdge Technologies CEO George Agu.
Treadgold CEO Gordy Oshoko.
Metamorph founder Ife Olatunji
BASF West Africa managing director Jean Marc Ricca.
Tenece CEO Kingsley Eze.
VoguePay CEO Michael Simeon
SLOT Systems founder Nnamdi Ezeigbo
Social Media Week Lagos chairman Obi Asika
Kobo360 CEO Obi Ozor
Nextzon Business Services COO Olusegun Olukoya
Printivo founder and CEO Oluyomi Ojo
Thank U Cash co-founder Simeon Ononobi
Total Consult CEO  Theo Lawson
TechnoVision collaborator-in-chief Tomi Davies
Tunde Coker
Fuel Communication Limited founder and CEO Tunji Abioye
Gidi Mobile founder and CEO Tunji Adegbesan