The ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator program has revealed its inaugural cohort of 12 startups – 10 Nigerian and 2 Kenyan. In April 2022, Techstars and ARM Labs announced the launch of the ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator to provide entrepreneurs with funding and support. In December, it followed that up with the appointment of Oyin Solebo as Managing Director. Speaking at the launch, Nancy Wolff, General Manager at Techstars, said, “Lagos has built a successful startup ecosystem that merits more global exposure, investments, and resources, and we see extraordinary potential in the market.
Techstars has been investing in Nigerian and African startups for years, and through our partnership with ARM Labs, we look forward to bringing the value and reach of the Techstars’ global network to the increasingly prominent Nigerian startup ecosystem.” After accepting applications between May and July 2022, the accelerator selected 12 startups to receive $120,000 in funding and support from mentors. The startups have received up to $120,000 in funding as well as curated startup programming and access to Techstars’ vast network of more than 7,000 mentors, 20,000+ investors, alumni, and corporate partners.
“Since the announcement that Techstars was coming to Lagos, there has been great anticipation about the selection of the inaugural cohort. After a competitive application process, we have chosen entrepreneurs who have the capacity to be exceptional founders, startups that have the potential to be industry leaders, and a cohort that is collectively capable of bringing innovation and change to Africa and the world,” Solebo noted. Here are the 12 startups in the accelerator’s inaugural cohort.