L-R: Oluwarotimi Fasuyi, CEO, VasDigiMobility; Ifedy Eze, Co-founder, Maisematrix Consulting; Wande Adalemo CEO, Wave3 Wireless and Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr. “CFA”, Co-founder, GoDo.ng

The Founder Institute the world’s premier pre-seed startup accelerator launch program, announced today that it is officially launching its newest chapter in Lagos with centres in Yaba, Ikeja and Island.

With plans to run two semesters annually, the Founder Institute aims to launch over 20 meaningful and enduring technology companies per year in Lagos.

Speaking at the event in Lagos, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, reiterated the fact that technology is a game changer that can be leveraged upon to grow businesses. “FI affords you the opportunity to test your ideas before actual execution”.

Also speaking, Wande Adalemo, said it has been identified that 90 per cent of startups fail within the first two years. “This is what FI is to change. It helps entrepreneurs build an enduring company with support network invested in their success, through a structured business building process to ensure that businesses no longer fail”.

Wande added, “I have tested what it means to run a startup. So, the people involved in FI in Nigeria are not bringing in borrowed ideas. We validate your ideas and help you find co-founders”.

In order to celebrate the launch, the Lagos Founder Institute will host a series of free startup events for the general public, where attendees can learn how to build a company and learn more about the program. See the full list of events at http://fi.co/events/lagos.

For aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs up to the challenge, the Founder Institute’s comprehensive step-by-step program provides the structure, mentor support, and global network of entrepreneurs needed to start an enduring company. The Founder Institute is the only program of its kind that focuses on people versus ideas, accepts founders with day jobs, and shares equity with all participants. Founder Institute Graduate companies include fast-rising startups across 6 continents like Udemy, Realty Mogul, Travelcar, goplaceit, Appota, and many more.

In addition, the Lagos 2019 program will include the Founder Institute’s newest company-building curriculum suitable to address the needs of advanced founders (MVP stage) as well as aspiring new entrepreneurs at the idea-stage – a project just released this year in collaboration with hundreds of startup leaders across the globe.

The Lagos Chapter will once again be led by local startup leaders Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr. “CFA”, Co-founder, GoDo.ng & Presenter, Tech Trends on Channels TV; Oluwarotimi Fasuyi, CEO, VasDigiMobility; Wande Adalemo CEO, Wave3 Wireless and Ifedy Eze, Co-founder, Maisematrix Consulting.

Mentors who have expressed interest in helping Lagos Founder Institute participants include but not limited to:

‘Deepankar Rustagi, Founder, VConnect

Adeoye Abodunrin, Director, Xpos Technologies

Atul Kshetry, CEO, IDM Services Plc
Ayo Animashaun, Founder/CEO, Smooth Promotions
Babafemi Lawal, MD/CEO, Synergon Infrastructure Limited
Biodun Ogunlabi, Founder/CEO, 3 Way Communcations Limited
Charles Emembolu, CEO, Crestsage Limited

Charles Anudu, CEO, Swift Networks
Clement Efanga, Founder/CEO, Clemas Garment Co. LTD
David Olaniyan, Founder/CEO, Startup Builder

Etop Ikpe, CEO, Cars45
George Agu: CEO, ActivEdge Technologies Limited
Ife Olatunji, CEO, Metamorp
Kingsley Eze, CEO, Tenece
Michael Simeon, CEO, VoguePay
Nnamdi Ezeigbo, Founder, SLOT Systems
Obi Asika, Chairman, Social Media Week Lagos
Obi Ozor, CEO, Kobo360

Simeon Ononobi, Co-founder, Thank U Cash
Tunji Abioye, Founder/CEO, Fuel Communication Limited
Tunji Adegbesan, Founder/CEO, Gidi Mobile

If you are a corporate executive who has always desired to start our own enterprise, then FI is for you. If you are already a founder but would like to re-validate certain aspect of your offerings or be part of a global network of start-ups, then you might want to jump-in early. Apply to the Lagos Founder Institute at http://fi.co/apply/lagos today!

Anyone who applies by the Early Application Deadline (2019-04-28) is eligible for a variety of scholarships – including the Female Founder Fellowship, which is offered to the best overall female applicant.

Applications to the program are open now, and anyone interested in working with Lagos’s top startup mentors to launch a technology company is welcome to apply to the Lagos Founder Institute at http://fi.co/apply/lagos.

About the Founder Institute

The Founder Institute (http://fi.co) is the world’s premier early-stage accelerator and startup launch program. For aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage entrepreneurs up to the challenge, our comprehensive step-by-step program provides the structure, mentor support, and global network of entrepreneurs needed to start an enduring company.

In addition, the Founder Institute is the only program of its kind that focuses on people versus ideas, accepts founders with day jobs, and shares equity with all participants.

Leaders of the world’s fastest-growing startups have used our program to transition from employee to entrepreneur, test their startup ideas, build a team, get their first customers, raise funding, and more.

Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 150 cities and 60 countries, the Founder Institute’s mission is to “Globalize Silicon Valley” and empower talented and motivated entrepreneurs to build companies that will create one million new jobs.

The Founder Institute was founded in 2009 by Adeo Ressi and Jonathan Greechan.

It is operated out of Palo Alto, California.