iDEA, a Nigeria government-backed program operating as a not-for-profit organization geared towards supporting the development of local skills and capabilities in developing software has begun accepting applications. The windows to submit your application is open until July 8th, 2015.
The iDEA accelerator program will run for 14 weeks, whereby successful applicants will take part in 3 modules; Design, Build, and Pitch. All the three modules are designed to help the entrepreneur launch, grow market share and raise seed finding for their startups.
The program will also feature 14 mentor-led sessions, with each mentor holding one week worth of sessions. Thus, the entrepreneurs will benefit from a very diverse pool of mentors who will incorporate new ways of thinking in the execution of plans and operational practices. They will also impart knowledge, share their experiences, facilitate access and spark business performance.
In a nutshell, the participating startups stands to benefit from the following:
The mentors will guide you in refining your product and value offering. In a bid to help you pass the friction and inertia that might present hurdles.
The program will instill discipline and feedback that allows participants to remain focus and effectively plan their execution.
iDEA’s networks of professionals will help you fill up any gaps in your skills, resources, reach and access.
iDEA’s approach is working with you as a co-founder or one of your early board members by giving you the necessary support and validation.
The program will open the doors to a vast network of Venture Capitalist, Angel Investors and other financiers trusted by iDEA.
iDEA will give free dedicated working space for four people with a 45MBps internet access, business support that includes, Accounting, Tax, PR & Marketing, Human Resources, training programs and technical support.
In exchange for the privileges offered in the program, iDEA will take a 6% stake in the startups that gets accepted into the program. At the end of the program, there will be a Demo Day. This will allow the participants the opportunity to pitch to interested Venture Capitalists and Angel Investors.
