Nigeria Startup Portal Registration: Login startup.gov.ng. The Federal Government on Tuesday launched the Startup Support and Engagement Portal, which is a key requirement for the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act.
The Startup Support and Engagement Portal is a one-stop portal that provides startups with easy access to registrations, access to information, resources, incentives, collaboration and linkages.
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About the Nigeria Startup (startup.gov.ng).
The Startup Support and Engagement Portal was set up as part of efforts to collate and classify startups in Nigeria to benefit from the opportunities provided in the Nigerian Startup Act 2022. Specifically, the portal will facilitate the labelling of Nigerian startups, venture capital companies, hubs and innovation centres in Nigeria. This is under the requirements of Section 10 of the Nigerian Startup Act, 2022.
The Nigeria Startup Portal will facilitate the labelling of Nigerian Startups and the registration of Venture Capitalists, Angel Investors, Accelerators, Incubators and innovation Hubs (A.I.I.), and Civil Society Organisations involved in the advancement of Technology and Innovation.
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Highlights of the Nigeria Startup Act
- Establishes the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (The Council), with representation from relevant Ministries and Agencies of the Federal Government as well as the Nigerian Startup Ecosystem, to support complementary policy-making and approve programmes for the development of startups in Nigeria
- Set up a consultative forum for Nigerian ecosystem stakeholders to engage and present proposals to ‘The Council’ on policies and ideas to develop the Nigerian Startup Ecosystem
- Provide for the Startup Investment Seed Fund which will be managed by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). to support pipeline development and improve access to seed capital for tech-enabled startups
- Simplifies registrations and access to government services through the Startup Support and Engagement Portal
Features of the Nigeria Startup Support and Engagement Portal
- Registration of A.I.I. and Labeling of Startups: Identifying structured and quality support for high-impact and scalable startups
- Startup Engagement and Support: Providing startups with valuable knowledge and information resources for growth and success
- Tax and Fiscal Incentives: The Act offers a range of incentives to encourage both local and foreign investors to invest in a Nigerian startup
- Financing and Fund Management: Ensuring access to financial resources and effective fund management for startup
- Ecosystem Engagement and Support: Building a robust support structure for the startup ecosystem to grow and thrive
- Collaboration and Linkage with Government: Fostering partnerships and connections with relevant government agencies to advance startup initiatives
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How to Register for the Nigeria Startup Portal Registration Forms.
Startups Registration
Criteria to enrol:
- Be a limited liability company registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).
- Be a company existing for less than 10 years from the date of incorporation.
- Have objects that are focused on innovation, development, production, improvement, and commercialization of a digital technology innovative product or process.
- Be a holder or repository of a product or process of digital technology or the owner or author of a registered software.
- Have at least one-third of local shareholding held by one or more Nigerians as founder or co-founder of the startup.
- Satisfy the conditions set out in the Act, in the case of a sole proprietorship or partnership.
- Be a tech-enabled business that uses existing tools, platforms, libraries, and frameworks to make a company or a solution more efficient or effective.
Enrollment Process:
- Go to the Nigeria Startup Portal registration page at https://startup.gov.ng/forms/startups/
- Enter your Company information
- Next, enter your contact information
- Then complete the Founder/Co-founder Profile by entering in the Founder or Co-Founder’s details
- Next, provide the Founder’s means of identification to verify information/details
- Lastly, click on the Next button to proceed with the registration form.
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Angel Investor Registration
Angel Investors provides early-stage funding and mentorship to catalyze innovation and help startups attract larger funding rounds.
Criteria to enrol:
- Be a high-net-worth individual or company which provides funding to an early-stage startup, typically in exchange for equity in the startup company.
- Provide proof of investments, membership of an Angel Network, or Investment Syndicate is desirable.
Enrollment Process:
- Go to the Nigeria Startup Portal (Angel Investor Registration) page at https://startup.gov.ng/forms/angel/
- Fill in your Company information
- Enter your contact information
- Also, enter all necessary info on investment
- Lastly, provide means of identification to verify information/details
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Accelerators, Innovation Hubs & Incubators Registration
Embark on a journey of innovation and entrepreneurship with our dedicated support system for startups.
Criteria to enrol:
- Incubator: Be a company, partnership, non-governmental organisation or limited liability partnership, whose principal object is to support the establishment and development of a tech start-up, promotion of innovation, and related activities through the offer of dedicated physical spaces and services
- Accelerator: Demonstrate experience in developing and implementing a fixed-term, cohort-based programme which provides start-ups with mentorship and educational assistance to aid their growth
- Innovation Hub: Provide or demonstrate proof of possession of physical or virtual space where innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology enthusiasts come together to collaborate, exchange ideas, and work on innovative projects
Enrollment Process:
- Go to the Nigeria Startup Portal (Accelerators, Innovation Hubs & Incubators Registration) page at https://startup.gov.ng/forms/accelerators/
- Fill in your Company information
- Enter your contact information
- Enter all necessary information on incubators
- Lastly, provide means of identification to verify information/details
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FAQs on Nigeria Startup Portal: startup.gov.ng
What is the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA)?
The NSA is a co-created law by the government and ecosystem to unlock Nigeria’s digital economy potential by ensuring regulatory certainty, creating an enabling business environment, and fostering local content to attract investment and create job opportunities.
How Can I Get the Nigeria Startup Label?
To get the Startup Label, a startup company shall fill out the registration form on the Nigeria Startups Portal and upload the prescribed documents. Where the Portal Coordinator is satisfied that an applicant has complied with the requirements for labelling, the startup Coordinator shall enter the name and particulars of the applicant in the; register of startups; and issue a label to the startup.
What are the Benefits of Getting a Startup Label?
Access to the startup investment seed fund, grants, loans etc.
Access to tools and resources
Tax and fiscal Incentives for Startups and Investors
Capacity building programs and training
Participation in regulatory sandboxes
Ecosystem engagement and support infrastructure
Collaborations and linkages with relevant MDAs as they relate to a startup
As a startup, what are the relevant government ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) I may be able to have access to?
As a startup, what are the relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) I may be able to have access to?
Some of the relevant MDAs include the following;
Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)
Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA)
Industrial Training Fund (ITF)
Nigerian Copyright Commission
What is the council?
The Council refers to the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council (NDIEC), which is the highest government body of the Nigeria Startup Act whose primary mandate is to align national policies for the development of startups and establish programmes to support tech-enabled start-ups in Nigeria.
Who are the members of the council?
The council consists of the following fourteen (14) members;
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – Chairman;
The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – Vice Chairman;
The Minister for Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy;
The Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning;
The Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment;
The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation;
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN);
Four (4) Representatives of the Startup Consultative Forum
One (1) member to represent the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS);
One member to represent the Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria); and
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) – Secretary.
What are the functions of the Startup Consultative Forum?
Information sharing and collaboration in the ecosystem concerning;
Policy proposals;
Information on startups, which qualify for labelling;
deliberation on a memorandum to the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE);
Nomination of representatives to the NCDIE.
Can a Startup Label be withdrawn?
Yes, a startup label will be withdrawn if a startup is in default of the obligations of a labelled startup or fails to meet the eligibility criteria.
Can a label be issued to a startup company that is not technology-enabled?
No, a Startup Label can only be issued to a startup that is technology-enabled.
Can the startup Label be issued to a startup that is more than 10 years in existence?
No, a Startup Label can only be issued to a startup that is less than 10 years in existence from the date of incorporation.
