2024–2028 Nigeria Startup Digital Innovation Academy Establishment Project (PMC) · KOICA · SMEDAN · ACE Center
ACE Startup Academy 2026
Founder Training & Startup Pitch Competition
“From Ideas to Investment”
Problem Definition (BM) → MVP Build (AI) → Validation (Competition) → Incubation (Mentoring) → Fundraising (IR). One end-to-end journey — from your first idea all the way to investment.
The Full Program Journey — End-to-End · Aug Training → Dec IR · Incubation to Mar ’27
The full program journey
SMEDAN, in partnership with KOICA, invites early-stage and ready-to-scale startups to a complete journey — from building your business model to pitching for real investment.
Founder Training
- 120 participants · 4 cohorts · 10 days, 60 hrs
- BM 5 days + AI 5 days · PBL hands-on
Pitch Competition
- ~50 teams → 10 finalists
- $15,000 total prize (all rewarded)
Business Incubation
- 10 finalists move in · 6 months
- Open mentoring · BM·MVP scale-up
Overseas IR (Korea)
- 1 member/team visits Korea (10 total)
- COMEUP startup events · networking
IR Mentoring
- IR pitch-deck refinement · rehearsal
- Investor-perspective coaching
IR Demo Day
- Final IR to investors
- Deal matching · matching fund support
※ Dates, awards and program details may change depending on local operating conditions.
Training & Competition
Learn, build, and compete
Training Program
- Duration
- 10 days · 60 hrs
- Structure
- BM 1 week (5 days, 30h) + AI 1 week (5 days, 30h)
- Method
- PBL team projects · hands-on & mentoring
- Output
- Lean Canvas · 15-page deck · MVP prototype
- Completion
- 80%+ attendance + required deliverables
| Cohort | BM Training | AI Training |
|---|---|---|
| Cohort 1 · 2 | Aug 24 – 29 | Sep 7 – 11 |
| Cohort 3 · 4 | Aug 31 – Sep 4 | Sep 14 – 18 |
- Hours: 09:00–17:00 · 2 classrooms (staggered)
- Team: 2–3 members · 1 CTO (AI-capable) required
Competition & Awards
- Preliminary: Oct 7–8 · ~50 teams (25/day) → 10 picked
- Final: Oct 12 · 10 finalists · platform scoring
- Awards: All 10 teams rewarded · paid in local cash
Total prize pool $15,000 · all 10 rewarded
Investment & Benefits
Beyond the prize — investment matching
Investment Matching Fund
When a top team secures real external investment, we add a matching grant on top — scaled to the round — to accelerate early scale-up.
Up to +$20,000 additional support
From a daily allowance to investment matching — full support across the journey, from first idea to scale-up.
Learning Support
- BM · AI materials / workbook
- Dedicated team mentor
- AI tool accounts & credits
- Local master-trainer coaching
Practical Support
- Daily allowance (attendance-based)
- Lunch provided
- Welcome kit · Certificate
- Devices · Internet (Starlink)
Growth Priority
- Priority: Incubation · IR · Matching Fund
- Top graduating teams get priority access to the Competition → Incubation → Overseas IR → Matching Fund pipeline.
How to Apply
Who can apply & how it works
Who Can Apply
- ✓All team members must be residents of Abuja.
- ✓Teams of 2–3 members, with 1 CTO (AI-capable).
- ✓Any age — no age limit to apply.
- ✓Aspiring & early founders welcome.
How It Works
- ✓All applications received by the deadline are reviewed · No first-come advantage
- ✓Cohort size: 120 participants (30 × 4 cohorts, approx. 50 teams)
- ✓Venue: SMEDAN Garki Office, Abuja · 2 classrooms
- ✓Application Period: 31 July – 12 August 2026 (Wed)
Bonus Points — at the pitch competition
- +1 if your team includes a woman
- +1 if your team includes a youth (aged 18–35)
- Up to +2 total.
- 1 woman + 1 youth (different people) → +2
- 1 woman-and-youth person only → +1
- Woman-and-youth person + another youth → +2 (one counts as woman, the other as youth)
Apply Now — 2026 Cohort
A short 3-step application: your team, cohort & idea, then consents. Teams of 2–3.
Start applicationContact
- Apply · Inquiries: WhatsApp founder community · Social Media (Instagram · TikTok · LinkedIn)
- Official notices: SMEDAN · university campus boards
- Venue: SMEDAN Garki Office, Abuja