Chocolate City Opens Applications for Creative Economy Accelerator, Offers Up to $50,000 in Startup Funding
Chocolate City Opens Applications for Creative Economy Accelerator, Offers Up to $50,000 in Startup Funding
Chocolate City Opens Applications for Creative Economy Accelerator, Offers Up to $50,000 in Startup Funding
Chocolate City Group has opened applications for the first edition of its Founders Fund Africa Creative Economy Accelerator Programme, offering funding of between $20,000 and $50,000 to selected startups operating in Africa’s creative industries.
The accelerator is designed to support early-stage businesses in music, film and media, design, and creative technology by providing mentorship, investor readiness training, strategic partnerships, and access to funding.
The programme is part of the $1 million Founders Fund Africa, which was unveiled during Chocolate City Group’s 20th anniversary celebration in October 2025. The initiative was launched by the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, and is being implemented in partnership with Argentil Capital Management Limited and Co-Creation Hub.
According to the organisers, 10 high-potential startups will be selected to participate in an intensive accelerator programme aimed at strengthening their business models, improving investment readiness, and connecting them with investors, industry experts, and experienced entrepreneurs.
Speaking on the launch of the application process, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Chocolate City Group, Audu Maikori, said the initiative was established to address the challenges many African creative entrepreneurs face in accessing growth support.
“Founders Fund Africa was created to unlock opportunities for the next generation of creative entrepreneurs. Across Africa, we’re seeing founders build innovative businesses that are redefining music, film, design and technology, yet many still struggle to access the support they need to scale,” Maikori said.
He added that the programme is seeking founders with bold ideas, strong execution capabilities, and the ambition to build businesses that will shape the future of Africa’s creative economy.
Co-founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Chocolate City Group, Paul Okeugo, said the accelerator draws from the company’s experience of building one of Africa’s leading independent entertainment businesses.
“It takes the right guidance, meaningful partnerships and people who believe in your vision. Founders Fund Africa is about giving creative founders access to that support so they can build businesses that endure,” he said.
Also commenting on the initiative, Managing Partner of Argentil Capital Management Limited, Gbenga Hassan, described Africa’s creative economy as an increasingly attractive destination for investment. He noted that the accelerator will prioritise startups with scalable business models, strong fundamentals, and the capacity to create long-term economic value.
Applications are open to startups operating in music, film and media, design, and creative technology. Entries will be evaluated based on innovation, market opportunity, execution capability, business sustainability, and growth potential.
Applications close on August 28, 2026, and interested founders are encouraged to submit their entries through the Founders Fund Africa application portal.
