About the program

If you are an early-stage founder with a big idea and the determination to build something real, IGHub Startup Boost is the program for you.

Over 12 weeks, you will learn from experienced mentors, connect with partners from around the world, and get the tools and support you need to grow your business. We will help you test your idea, strengthen your business model, and take your startup to the next level.

This is a practical, hands-on program built around you and your journey as a founder. It does not matter where you start from. What matters is that you are ready to put in the work.

IGHub Startup Boost gives you the knowledge, the network, and the community to build a business you are proud of.

What are the requirements to join as an entrepreneur?

Business Idea & Vision

  • Has a clear business idea that solves a real problem
  • The idea has the potential to grow and create impact
  • The business addresses a gap in the market

Stage of Business

  • Early-stage startup not more than 3 years old
  • Pre-revenue or early revenue stage
  • Has not gone through a formal incubation program before

Founder Commitment

  • Must be available and committed for the full 12 weeks
  • Willing to attend all sessions, workshops, and activities
  • Ready to put in the work and implement feedback

Coachability & Attitude

  • Open to learning, unlearning, and receiving feedback
  • Demonstrates a growth mindset
  • Willing to collaborate with other founders in the cohort

Problem-Solution Fit

  • Can clearly explain the problem they are solving
  • Has done some level of research or thinking around the solution
  • Understands their target audience

Potential for Impact

  • Business has the potential to create jobs
  • Has social, economic, or community impact potential
  • Scalable beyond the founder’s immediate environment

Basic Requirements

  • Must be 18 years and above
  • Must be based in Nigeria or Africa
  • Must have access to a smartphone or a laptop to participate
  • Must be able to communicate in English

Additional Consideration

  • Priority may be given to underrepresented founders, including women, young people, and founders from underserved communities

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

  • Personalized Mentoring: Receive one-on-one guidance from experts in entrepreneurship and social impact to address specific challenges.
  • Practical Training: A methodology designed to validate, structure, and grow your business with a focus on rapid diagnostics.
  • Networking: Access to a network of allies, mentors, and other entrepreneurs to create synergies and a community.
  • Ongoing Support: Close support throughout the incubation process to identify and address critical moments.
  • Funding Opportunities: Strategic connections with seed capital and financing options for your expansion.
  • Leadership and Decision-Making: Strengthening your management skills and abilities for strategic decision-making.
  • Local Visibility: Positioning your venture within the regional ecosystem to attract new opportunities.
  • Intelligent flexibility: A design that allows you to adapt your learning to the daily operations of your business.
  • Recognition and incentives: We reward your commitment and concrete progress in implementing what you’ve learned.
  • Technical support: Hands-on assistance in using the Academy platform to ensure you get the most out of it.
  • Visible goals: A system geared towards rapid achievements with clear and measurable monthly objectives.

Sign up

Deadline: 2026-06-24

Days
Hours
This program is no longer accepting applications.
Organizer
Innovation Growth Hub
Town / Region
All Africa
Sectors accepted for this program

Join as a mentor and help entrepreneurs in Africa achieve success!

We are looking for mentors who are committed to joining our incubation program. If you have a passion for entrepreneurship, have at least 5 years of professional experience and are committed to reviewing and monitoring your entrepreneur’s work before mentoring meetings, we want you to join us! We envision a fair, efficient and meritocratic society where innovation belongs to everyone. Sign up today and help Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs succeed!

What requirements must you have to mentor?

  • 3–5+ years of practical experience in any area of the health value chain: clinical practice, public health, pharmaceutical supply chains, health financing, digital/mHealth, WASH, nutrition, maternal & child health, SRHR, NCDs, or climate-health.
  • Open to: medical professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists), public health practitioners, health administrators, NGO/development professionals, health-tech founders, policy and regulatory professionals, nutritionists, WASH engineers, community health specialists, and medical supply chain professionals.
  • Willingness to engage with early-stage founders. Prior mentoring experience is a plus, not a requirement. The mentor must be genuinely curious and supportive — not just expert.
  • Able to communicate practically with entrepreneurs at varying levels of business sophistication. Comfortable giving honest, constructive feedback. Good listening is essential.
  • Minimum 2–4 hours/month over the incubation period (4–5 months). Sessions are virtual.
  • Participation is on a volunteer basis — no compensation is expected or required.
  • Priority to professionals with direct experience in the Kenyan and/or Nigerian health ecosystem.
  • Diaspora professionals with active Africa engagement are welcome.
  • English proficiency required. Swahili speakers particularly welcome.
  • Clean professional record. No conflicts of interest with any incubated cohort company or competing accelerator.

 

Mentor Benefits

  • Generate real impact
    Support entrepreneurs in growing their businesses.
  • Clear methodology and training
    Mentor with a guided, easy-to-follow, and results-oriented structure.
  • Expand your network
    Connect with other mentors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem stakeholders.
  • Develop new skills
    Strengthen your leadership, active listening, and strategic thinking.
  • Flexibility
    Deliver value with sessions tailored to your availability.
  • Continuous learning
    Exchange knowledge and stay connected to new ideas and business models.
  • Recognition
    Receive certification and become part of an international community.

Program Timeline

Pre-Program Phases

  • 8 Aug – 5 Sep 2025 → Scouting Phase (Ms&Es)
  • 8 Aug – 5 Sep 2025 → Application Phase (Ms&Es)
  • 8 Aug – 10 Sep 2025 → Shortlisting

Onboarding & Matching

  • 10 Sep 2025 → Onboarding Entrepreneurs (Zoom, 1h 30m)
  • 11 Sep 2025 → Onboarding Mentors (Zoom, 1h 30m)
  • 11 Sep – 30 Sep 2025 → Matching Phase (B4B Incubation Platform, Ms&Es)
  • 1 Oct – 8 Oct 2025 → Matching Phase Analysis (Platform)
  • 8 Oct 2025 → Kick Off Call (Zoom, Entrepreneurs + Mentors)

Core Modules

  • 8 Oct – 28 Oct 2025 → Module 1: Value Proposition
  • 29 Oct – 11 Nov 2025 → Module 2: Competitor Map
  • 12 Nov – 25 Nov 2025 → Module 3: Stakeholder Map
  • 26 Nov – 9 Dec 2025 → Module 4: Business Model & Marketing
  • 10 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026 → Module 5: Pricing & Business Viability
  • 22 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026 → Holidays (pause)
  • 7 Jan – 27 Jan 2026 → Module 6: Financial Projections
  • 28 Jan – 10 Feb 2026 → Module 7: Impact Plan
  • 11 Feb – 24 Feb 2026 → Module 8: Growth Plan

Closing Phase

  • 8 Oct – 28 Oct 2025 → Module 1: Value Proposition
  • 29 Oct – 11 Nov 2025 → Module 2: Competitor Map
  • 12 Nov – 25 Nov 2025 → Module 3: Stakeholder Map
  • 26 Nov – 9 Dec 2025 → Module 4: Business Model & Marketing
  • 10 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026 → Module 5: Pricing & Business Viability
  • 22 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026 → Holidays (pause)
  • 7 Jan – 27 Jan 2026 → Module 6: Financial Projections
  • 28 Jan – 10 Feb 2026 → Module 7: Impact Plan
  • 11 Feb – 24 Feb 2026 → Module 8: Growth Plan

Program Timeline

Apply to participate in the program
Until September 15, 2025
Tell us more about yourself and your project by submitting your application. Our team will evaluate all applications from entrepreneurs and mentors who apply to the program.
Confirmation of selected profiles
Until 17 October 2025
We will review the completed applications through a selection process and select the participants for this edition of the programme.
Participate in the welcome session
18 and 19 January 2024
You will be invited to participate in an information session to welcome you to the incubation programme. In this session we will cover the programme schedule, your role, the role of mentors, the use of incubation tools to help you work on your business and much more.
Matching
Training of work pairs for entrepreneurs/mentors - 19 January - 31 January
Take part in our matching process! You will have the possibility to meet with the volunteer mentors from our Community that you think will be the best match for you and your project. Once you have met several mentors, both you and they will send us their preferences to let us know who they want to work with and we will make the best teams.
Start the incubation program
February - June 2024

Start the hybrid incubation experience with mentoring sessions, working tools and structured development. You will have 5 months to complete the incubation cycle and develop your validated business plan.

  • You will work weekly with your personal mentor in one-on-one sessions to go through the 8 business modules.
    You will have the incubation team on hand at all times to answer any questions you may have.
  • You will finish the programme developing a business plan and executive summary ready to present to potential investors.
Completion of incubation program
June 2024

Do you have any questions about the program?

Contact Justina Nwokedi, Incubation Manager of the program to answer all your questions.

This program is part of 

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