announcementsJanuary 28, 2026• 5 min read

Announcing Ikenga Foundry's $5M Innovation Fund for Nigerian Startups

Today, we're proud to announce the launch of our $5M Innovation Fund, dedicated to backing ambitious Nigerian founders building world-class products. This marks a significant milestone in our mission to forge Nigeria's innovation infrastructure.

C

Chukwuemeka Okafor

Contributor

A New Chapter for Nigerian Innovation

Today marks a pivotal moment for Ikenga Foundry and the Nigerian tech ecosystem. We're thrilled to announce the launch of our $5M Innovation Fund, dedicated exclusively to backing ambitious Nigerian founders building products that can compete on the global stage.

Why This Fund Matters

Nigeria has no shortage of talent. What we lack is infrastructure, the systematic support that transforms raw potential into market-ready products. This fund is designed to bridge that gap.

What We're Looking For

We're sector-agnostic but have particular interest in:

  • Deep Tech - AI/ML, blockchain, robotics
  • Fintech - Especially infrastructure plays
  • Agritech - Solutions for the agricultural value chain
  • Healthtech - Accessible healthcare technology
  • Enterprise Software - B2B solutions for African businesses

Investment Terms

  • Check sizes: $50K - $500K
  • Stage: Pre-seed to Seed
  • Timeline: We move fast—expect term sheets within 2 weeks

The Forge Advantage

This isn't just capital. Every funded founder gains access to:

  1. The Forge - Our state-of-the-art innovation lab
  2. Mentorship - From operators who've built and scaled
  3. Network - Connections to investors, customers, and partners
  4. Support - Legal, financial, and operational resources

How to Apply

Applications are now open. Visit our contact page to submit your application. We review applications on a rolling basis, so don't wait.

"The best time to build was yesterday. The second best time is now. We're here to make sure Nigerian founders have every advantage they need to succeed." — Chukwuemeka Okafor

Made in Nigeria

This fund embodies our core belief: Nigeria's greatest export shouldn't be talent—it should be world-class products and companies. We're committed to proving that you can build globally competitive ventures right here in Lagos.

The forge is hot. Let's build something extraordinary.


For press inquiries, contact **press@ikengafoundry.com

#funding #announcement #startups
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