2025 Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Prize for Innovation for Nigerian Startups and Entrepreneurs (US$220,000 in prizes and all expenses paid training program in Silicon Valley, USA.)

Application Deadline: 5th April 2025

Applications are now open for the 2025 Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Prize for Innovation. The NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI), an initiative of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), is designed to empower entrepreneurs and changemakers whose innovative ideas can drive meaningful social and economic impact.

Designed to nurture ingenuity and accelerate high-potential ventures, NPI provides funding and strategic support to early-stage, growth-driven solutions. Through this initiative, NSIA aims to inspire groundbreaking ideas that enhance productivity, strengthen industries, and deliver lasting social impact in Nigeria and beyond.

For NPI 3.0, NSIA is proud to partner with the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) as a strategic partner. PVAC’s objective is to reshape Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem by fostering socially impactful innovations.

Does your startup have the potential to drive innovation and deliver impactful solutions in healthcare, education, or agriculture? If so, apply for the NPI 3.0 for a chance to win a share of the US$220,000, the Cascador Prize for impact valued at US$45,000, and a five-week all-expenses-paid training programme in Silicon Valley, USA.

Application Requirements

1) One of the founders must be a Nigerian Citizen

2) Applicants must be 18 years or older

3) Applicants must be running innovative and social impact-driven startups

4) The startup should have operated for not less than six months and operating in or within Nigeria

5) The startup should be looking to raise a seed round

6) The startup should have developed a minimum viable product (MVP)

7) Applicants must be willing and able to commit to a 10-week fast-track accelerator programme

8) Only one application is permitted per applicant irrespective of the sector. Subsequent applications will be disqualified

9) The startups of the top 10 finalists must be registered in Nigeria

10) Target Sectors: The programme will focus on innovative startups in the following sectors:

• Healthcare
• Agriculture
• Education

Programme Stages

Pre-selection Stage: Innovators submit their applications through the application portal to provide details regarding their Innovative products/services and business models.

Accelerator Stage: The top 150 finalists will participate in a virtual training, followed by an in-person bootcamp for the top 25 finalists. A mini demo day will be held to select the top 10 finalists that will proceed to the demo day.

Demo Day: Each of the 10 finalists will be allotted a timeslot to present their pitch to the judges. The judging panel will review the submission and rank the winners from 1st to 10th. The event will be attended by a combination of local and foreign industry experts and investors.

Post Demo Day: The top 10 finalists will participate in an all expense paid, 5-weeks in-person training programme at a top-rated US university in Silicon Valley and also have an opportunity to pitch to angel investors to secure additional funding and obtain global exposure!

Application Timeline:

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Prize for Innovation