By Angeline Mgbele, Correspondent Abuja

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced the commencement of the Application Process for the Bridge to Mass Challenge Nigeria Program (B2MC), a statement from Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations at NITDA, Hadiza Umar, confirms.

Early this year, NITDA signed a partnership arrangement with Mass Challege, a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators. The partnership was aimed at stimulating economic vitality and job creation in Nigeria by catalyzing entrepreneurial activity and supporting entrepreneurs as they develop and execute on game-changing ideas, digital technologies, and discoveries.

The commencement of the application process followed a comprehensive stakeholder engagement with key players in the ecosystem. These include Government, Academia, Entrepreneurs, Angels and VCs, Corporate Organizations, Media, and Influencers.

The application is open to entrepreneurs who want to take their businesses to the next level. Early-stage and growth-stage startups from all over the country, working on innovative solutions from any industry are encouraged to apply.

Successful applicants will participate in an intensive, 4-month program that encompasses both online and in-person portions where startups develop and implement bespoke project plans to further their localization journeys.  They will also receive:

• tailored mentoring and coaching offered by NITDA and other local mentors, local and global mentors of the Mass Challenge network and the entrepreneurial ecosystem;
• tailored curriculum based on startups’ specific needs;
• investment opportunities by facilitating connections to investors and a private demo-day; and
• Access to the Mass Challenge global network.

Speaking at the official launch of the application process, Director General/CEO, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said “a vibrant startup ecosystem is highly critical to the future of our country and it’s vital to finding solutions to our numerous challenges. Innovation is a prominent way of creating prosperity for all and lifting countries out of poverty. He further noted that “Considering this, NITDA and MassChallenge have continued to partner in this new initiative to catalyze and foster the growth and success of the country’s startup ecosystem in line with the vision of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria.”

 Also speaking at the event, CEO of Mass Challenge, Siobhan Dullea said “Mass Challenge is excited to be working with NITDA to help entrepreneurs in Nigeria grow locally while having access to the MassChallenge global network. We look forward to working with NITDA to continue to support and grow the Nigerian innovation ecosystem.”

Interested applicants and those wishing to learn more about the programme are encouraged to visit the B2MC Nigeria website.

Applications for the B2MC Nigeria programme closes on the 24th September, 2021.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is a Federal Government Agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. NITDA was established in April 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy as well as coordinate general IT development and regulation in the country. Specifically, Section 6(a & c) of the Act mandates NITDA to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria; develop guidelines for electronic governance and monitor the use of electronic data interchange and other forms of electronic communication transactions as an alternative to paper-based methods in government, commerce, education, the private and public sectors, labour, and other fields, where the use of electronic communication may improve the exchange of data and information.

MassChallenge on the other hand is a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators. Headquartered in the United States with locations in Boston, Israel, Mexico, Rhode Island, Switzerland, and Texas, MassChallenge is committed to strengthening the global innovation ecosystem by supporting high-potential startups across all industries, from anywhere in the world. To date, more than 2,300 MassChallenge alumni have raised more than US$5 billion in funding, generated more than US$2.7 billion in revenue, and created more than 136,000 total jobs.