Please read these terms carefully before applying, voting, or funding a startup on Startup Nigeria.
You must be at least 18 years old and legally able to enter binding agreements to apply as a founder, vote, or fund a startup on Startup Nigeria. By creating an account, you confirm the information you provide (full name, contact details, and business information) is accurate.
Founders apply by submitting a pitch, supporting documents, and product photos. Selection into the program requires payment of an entry fee corresponding to your chosen tier (Regular, Fast Track, or Grand Finale Draft). Entry fees are non-refundable once payment is confirmed, whether or not your application is ultimately approved for the public voting round.
Participants are required to upload video updates documenting their startup journey. All uploaded content is reviewed before it appears publicly. We reject and require re-upload of any content containing nudity, violence or war-related imagery, abuse, sexual content, or anything that violates applicable Nigerian law. Repeated violations may result in disqualification without a refund of fees paid.
Members of the public may vote for participants during the 90-day voting window at a rate of ₦1,000 per vote. Votes may be cast using a participant's reference number or team name, and voters may purchase multiple votes in a single transaction. Votes are final and non-refundable once payment is confirmed, and vote counts are credited to a participant's public progress in real time.
Investors and members of the public may fund any approved participant directly, subject to a minimum funding amount displayed at checkout. Funds are transferred toward the recipient startup and are not refundable once payment is confirmed. Startup Nigeria facilitates the transaction but is not a party to, and assumes no responsibility for, how a founder ultimately uses funds received.
All amounts on the platform are denominated in Nigerian Naira (₦) but are processed in USD at checkout using a live exchange rate, since our payment processor settles in USD. The Naira amount you see is what determines your charge; minor variance may occur between the displayed rate and the rate applied at the moment of checkout.
Participants who advance to the Grand Finale compete for investor funding based on public vote standing. Winning and funded participants are required to provide valid bank account details before payout is issued at the conclusion of the 90-day program.
You retain ownership of your pitch, product, and video content. By submitting content to Startup Nigeria, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display it on our platform and promote the program across our channels for the duration of the season and reasonable promotional use afterward.
Startup Nigeria provides a platform for founders, voters, and investors to connect. We do not guarantee funding outcomes, investment returns, or business results for any participant. Participation in the program, voting, and funding are all undertaken at each user's own discretion and risk.
We may update these Terms from time to time as the program evolves. Continued use of the platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Questions about these terms? Reach out via our contact page.