Chocolate City Group has officially opened applications for the inaugural edition of its Founders Fund Africa Creative Economy Accelerator Programme, inviting ambitious founders building innovative startups across music, film and media, design, and creative technology to apply for funding, mentorship, strategic partnerships, and investor readiness support. The application deadline is 28th August 2026 and the programme is open to startups across Africa.
The application launch follows the unveiling of the US$1 million Founders Fund during Chocolate City Group’s 20th anniversary celebration in October 2025, where the initiative was officially launched by the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa. Established in partnership with Argentil Capital Management Limited and implemented by Co-Creation Hub, CcHUB, Founders Fund Africa was created to identify, support, and accelerate the next generation of entrepreneurs building scalable businesses across Africa’s creative economy.
The inaugural accelerator will select ten high-potential startups to participate in an intensive programme designed to strengthen business fundamentals, improve investment readiness, and connect founders with experienced operators, investors, and industry leaders. Selected startups will also have the opportunity to access between $20,000 and $50,000 in funding alongside tailored business support and strategic network access.
Co-founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Chocolate City Group, Paul Okeugo, said the accelerator reflects lessons learned from building one of Africa’s leading independent entertainment companies over two decades. He noted that building a successful company takes more than talent or access to capital and that it takes the right guidance, meaningful partnerships, and people who believe in your vision, describing Founders Fund Africa as being about giving creative founders access to that kind of support so they can build businesses that endure.
Investment Principal at Argentil Capital Management Limited, Sylvester Ayisi, urged prospective applicants to clearly demonstrate the problem their businesses are solving, the strength of their business models, and their long-term growth plans.
Applicants will be assessed based on the strength of their business model, market opportunity, innovation, execution capability, and potential to build sustainable businesses that contribute meaningfully to Africa’s creative economy. The programme is particularly relevant for Nigerian filmmakers, producers, and creative entrepreneurs who have built businesses in the film and media space but have struggled to access the kind of structured funding and investor-readiness support that technology startups in Nigeria have benefited from in recent years.
Applications close on 28th August 2026. Interested founders can apply at foundersfundafrica.com.
