Unlocking venture capital for South East Nigeria.

The South East Venture Capital Program is an initiative of the South East Development Commission, designed to unlock venture capital, support high-potential founders, and catalyse long-term economic growth across the region.

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An initiative of the South East
Development Commission

Program

The SEVCP Pitch Competition.

A national competition that identifies high-potential startups from across the South East and connects them with capital, mentorship and structured ecosystem support. It is the primary pipeline into the South East Venture Capital Fund.

Learn more about SEVCP

Two tracks

Founders apply to the track that matches their stage.

Every edition runs two tracks. Both lead to equity investment and a 12–24 week program.

Track 01

Accelerator Track

Traction → Scale

For startups with a live product and measurable early traction that are ready to scale.

Typical characteristics

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A live product already in the market

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Clear customer validation and early traction: paying customers, recurring usage, signed pilots or revenue growth

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Typically 12–24 months of operating history, or equivalent evidence of sustained execution

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A strong founding team with relevant domain and execution experience

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An operational base and active market presence in South East Nigeria

From $20,000

Minimum equity investment, tranched

12–24 wks

Accelerator program

Track 02

Incubation Track

Idea → Validation

For earlier-stage startups still validating their product, customer segment and business model.

Typical characteristics

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A working prototype or validated MVP

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Early evidence of market interest: user testing, pilots, waitlists, partnerships or early adoption

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A committed founding team able to participate fully in the program

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Up to 12 months of operational activity, or earlier-stage evidence of consistent venture development

—

An operational base and active market presence in South East Nigeria

From $5,000

Minimum equity investment, tranched

12–24 wks

Incubation program

Selection process

Four phases, then finals.

Every edition follows the same structure. Exact dates are published when applications open.

01

Applications

Startups submit an online application: pitch deck, founder information, product description, traction or MVP evidence and funding request.

02

Screening & scoring

Applications are evaluated against a structured scoring system covering problem relevance, solution viability, execution, market opportunity and technology integration.

03

Video pitch

Shortlisted startups submit a three-minute video pitch covering their solution, traction or MVP validation, founding team and funding request.

04

Virtual pitch

Selected startups deliver a seven-minute pitch to a judging panel of venture investors, industry experts and ecosystem leaders.

05

Finalist bootcamp

Finalists join a one-week intensive bootcamp in Enugu to prepare for the final pitch.

06

Finals Day & Investment Ceremony

Finalists pitch live in Enugu, the judging panel selects the winners, and equity investment is awarded at the Investment Ceremony the following day.

What winners receive

Equity investment, a program, and a network.

Milestone-based investment

A minimum of $20,000 for Accelerator winners and $5,000 for Incubation winners — final amounts determined by the SEVCP Investment Committee and disbursed in milestone-based tranches.

A 12–24 week program

Accelerator companies focus on scaling and investor readiness; Incubation companies on product development and business validation. Length is set by what the company needs, within 12–24 weeks.

Mentorship

Guidance from experienced founders, investors and industry experts through the length of the program.

Investor exposure

Interactions with venture capital firms and angel investors, plus preparation for future venture funding.

Ecosystem access

Connections to regional innovation hubs, industry partners, startup networks and future funding opportunities.

Who should apply

Technology-enabled startups operating in or serving the South East.

Eligible sectors include:

Manufacturing and Industrial Technology

AgriTech and Food Systems

FinTech and Financial Inclusion

Commerce and Logistics

HealthTech

Clean Energy

EdTech and Skills Development

Creative Economy

SaaS and Digital Platforms

First edition · closed

The 2026 edition, in numbers.

The inaugural competition ran from March to May 2026, with Finals Day on 25 May and the Investment Ceremony & Awards on 26 May in Enugu.

1,000+

Applications received

Bootcamp finalists

Companies backed

Questions

Before you apply.

Who can apply?

Startups operating in or connected to the South East with a technology-enabled business model.

Do startups need revenue to apply?

No. Early-stage startups with a validated MVP can apply through the Incubation Track.

How many startups win?

There is no fixed number. The size of each cohort is set by the SEVCP Investment Committee on the recommendation of the judging panel.

Is the investment equity?

Yes. Winners receive equity investment disbursed in milestone-based tranches, alongside a place in a structured program.

Where do the finals take place?

Finals Day and the Investment Ceremony are held in Enugu, Nigeria.

When does the next edition open?

Dates for each edition are published here and in Program Updates. Join the pipeline to be notified first.

Be first to know when applications open.

Share your company with the SEVCP team and we'll notify you the moment the next edition opens.

See who we've backed

Founder School · Free

Practical material for building a great company.

Short lessons that build on each other, the templates our companies actually use, and live sessions you can bring a real problem to.

Modules, in the order they matter.

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The files, not the theory.

XLSX

Three-statement financial model

Naira and USD, with a simple runway view.

XLSX

Cap table & dilution tracker

Founders, options and two rounds of new money.

DOCX

Data room checklist

What an investor will ask for, in the order they ask.

PDF

Customer interview script

Twelve questions that avoid leading the witness.

DOCX

Board & investor update pack

A one-page monthly update investors will actually read.

XLSX

Milestone & use-of-funds tracker

Capital in, spend out, output achieved — per tranche.

XLSX

Unit economics calculator

Contribution margin per order, per customer, per month.

DOCX

Founder agreement starter

Roles, vesting and what happens if someone leaves.

PDF

Pitch deck structure

Eleven slides, and what belongs on each one.

Clinics, workshops and office hours.

Upcoming

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Past

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Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Office hours, every other Thursday

Thirty minutes with someone from the SEVCP team or network on whatever is blocking you this week. Open to any founder in the region.

Book office hours

Session outline.

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More sessions

See the full calendar →

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Backing the founders building the next great companies from the South East.

Meet the companies we're backing.

More than capital.

Capital. Capability. Connections.

What the programme changed.

Support designed around where your company is.

Built together.

Ideas, companies and stories shaping the South East.

The next great African company could be starting here.

Companies we're proud to back.

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More from the portfolio

Unlocking venture capital for South East Nigeria.

A $50 million blended finance fund, built for a region the market has overlooked.

Four strategic priorities.

Close early-stage funding gaps

De-risk capital for private investors

Strengthen the regional startup ecosystem

Promote inclusive entrepreneurship

Five integrated workstreams.

Venture Capital Fund

Pitch Competition

Incubation & Acceleration

Financing Partnerships

Implementing Partnerships

Technology-enabled ventures from or for the South East.

Four ways to partner.

Financing Partners

Delivery Partners

Resource Partners

Network Partners

Invest in the South East's future.