Are You A Startup?
Apply To Solve The Most Pressing Problem
Stop building in the dark. We’ve collected the biggest challenges from Nigeria’s top corporates and government agencies. Show us how your product solves them and get into the room with the people ready to pay.
We’ve collected the biggest challenges from Nigeria’s top corporates and government agencies. Show us how your product solves them and get into the room with the people ready to pay.
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Beyond the Pitch. A Real Opportunity.
Direct Market Access
Skip the cold emails. Get matched directly with MDAs and corporates that have already declared a need for what you’re building.
The ₦3 Billion Opportunity
Gain access to a massive funding and contract pipeline, including venture capital, angel investment, and government innovation support.
Elite Masterclasses
Beyond the demo, get access to elite facilitators for intensive workshops on Product, Engineering, and GTM strategy.
The Deal Room
At DNICE 2026, You're matched with institutions that have already seen your product. Sit down, negotiate, and leave with a signed pilot agreement or MoU in hand.
Beyond the Pitch. A Real Opportunity.
01
Direct Market Access
Skip the cold emails. Get matched directly with MDAs and corporates that have already declared a need for what you’re building.
The ₦3 Billion Opportunity
Gain access to a massive funding and contract pipeline, including venture capital, angel investment, and government innovation support.
02
03
Elite Masterclasses
Beyond the demo, get access to elite facilitators for intensive workshops on Product, Engineering, and GTM strategy.
The Deal Room
At DNICE 2026, You're matched with institutions that have already seen your product. Sit down, negotiate, and leave with a signed pilot agreement or MoU in hand.
04
Can You Solve Any Of These Problems?
These are real, anonymised challenges already submitted by Nigeria’s top institutions. If your product solves any of these, you belong in the showcase.
Money Is Already on the Table.
These are real, anonymised challenges already submitted by Nigeria’s top institutions. If your product solves any of these, you belong in the showcase.
De-Risk Your Digital Transformation
We aren’t just looking for “ideas.” We are matching
your specific institutional needs with startups that have existing, scalable products.
Problem-Solution Matching
We are matching your specific institutional needs with startups that have existing, scalable products.
De-Risked Innovation
Reduce the guesswork in procurement and digital transformation by working with validated tech talent.
National Impact
Your participation helps build a sustainable pipeline for the DNICE ecosystem, driving ₦3 billion in economic growth.
What We're Looking For.
Here’s exactly what the panel evaluates so only the right founders apply.
1
Market Traction
We want startups that are already in the wild, not just on a slide
deck.
2
Team Resilience
Can your technical team handle a national-scale integration?
3
Product Maturity
We are looking for “Ready-to-Deploy” solutions, not
“Ready-to-Research” ideas.
Applications close on Monday October 5, 2026
Limited Time
Show Us What You've Built
Connect with institutions, investors, and partners actively seeking scalable technology solutions.
Your Challenges Are in Safe Hands
Designed with the security requirements of MDAs and financial institutions in mind. Your data never leaves our controlled framework.
NITDA Led
Backed by the full authority and national trust of the National Information Technology Development Agency — Nigeria’s foremost digital governance body.
Data Privacy First
Your internal challenges are handled within a confidential framework. Only abstracted, anonymised requirements are shared during the startup matching phase.
Strategic Oversight
Every match is reviewed by a joint Steering Committee of industry veterans and government leaders before any introduction is made.
Applications close on Monday October 5, 2026
Limited Time
Secure Your Spot at Africa’s Most Digital Transformation Gathering
The Builders Festival culminates in live Deal Room sessions at Nigeria’s premier digital conference. Your matched startup will be ready to negotiate.
10-12
NOVEMBER , 2026
BAT International Conference Centre
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
The Masterclass Advantage
Intensive workshops designed to close the gap between a promising product and a contractable solution in the eyes of Nigeria’s most demanding institutional buyers.
Engineering for Resilience
Learn to architect for the scale of national
infrastructure.
Product-Aware Engineering
Move beyond “features” and start building “solutions”
that organizations actually buy.
GTM Strategy & Agile
Master the art of the 30-day pilot and cross-functional
execution.
Applications close on Monday October 5, 2026
Limited Time
Frequently asked questions
Got some questions? Here are our answers
Who can apply to the Builder Pipeline?
Nigerian-registered startups at MVP stage or beyond meaning at least one live user, active pilot, or paying client. We do not accept idea-stage or pre-product applications. Product maturity is non-negotiable.
We are early-stage — are we too small to apply?
Stage matters less than product maturity and traction. A lean two-person team with a live, deplorable product solving a real problem is more competitive than a well-funded startup with a polished deck and no users.
How does the selection process work?
Our PMO reviews all applications against three criteria: market traction, team resilience, and product maturity. Shortlisted startups are then matched with institutions whose stated challenges align with their product. You will receive a decision within 10 business days of the deadline
Can we apply to solve more than one institutional challenge?
You can indicate multiple challenge alignments, but we recommend focusing on the one your product solves most directly. Trying to cover everything often weakens the case for any single match and reduces your chance of selection.