Enovatelab Founder in Residence Program 2026 for Young Entrepreneurs

The Enovate Lab Founder in Residence Program is designed for young entrepreneurs, providing a structured, hands-on opportunity to help them to build their startups from scratch, with or without a pre-existing idea, through guidance and launch support. The program focuses on Young founders who are serious about transforming ideas into real-world scalable business solutions.

The FIRProgram The program has three phases:

Launching with Support: Offering resources and mentorship to successfully bring a product to market

Starting from Scratch: Guiding founders through the ideation stage.

Building with Structure: Providing a framework to develop a viable business model.

Enovate Lab is a Nigerian-based innovation hub that provides a “place to meet, learn, and collaborate” for entrepreneurs. Led by Executive Director Ahmed Idris, the organization focuses on ecosystem building, specifically in Northern Nigeria, supporting thousands of MSMEs and fostering digital transformation.

Enovate Lab Founder in Residence Program Selection Criteria

While specific assessment metrics vary by cohort, the program generally prioritizes:

• Problem-Solving Mindset: Candidates must demonstrate the ability to deconstruct complex problems and build structured, viable business models.
• Commitment: Applicants must be ready to build from the ground up, moving through ideation, structuring, and launching phases.
• Assessment Process: Qualified candidates typically undergo a 30-minute practical assessment followed by an in-person interview.
• Target Group: Specifically aimed at young entrepreneurs, including those who may not yet have a concrete idea but possess the drive to innovate.

Application Details

• Application Deadline: February 28th, 2026.
• How to Apply: Prospective founders can apply directly via the Enovate Lab FIR 2026 Application Link.

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