The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), in partnership with Lagos Innovates, has announced the opening of applications for its Workspace Voucher Programme targeted at early-stage founders and startups operating in Lagos.
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The initiative is designed to support high-potential ventures from ideation to early revenue by providing access to quality workspaces at subsidised rates. By reducing infrastructure and operational costs, the programme enables founders to focus more on building, execution, and growth.
What the Workspace Voucher offers
Selected startups will receive financial support that covers between 30% and 75% of workspace membership costs across approved partner hubs for a period ranging from three to twelve months.
The voucher is structured into three categories:
- Voucher A: ₦25,000 monthly for 3 months (₦75,000 total)
- Voucher B: ₦50,000 monthly for 6 months (₦300,000 total)
- Voucher C: ₦150,000 monthly for 12 months (₦1,800,000 total)
This tiered structure allows startups at different stages to access support based on their needs and growth level.
Eligibility requirements
The programme is open to founders who meet specific criteria, including:
- Lagos State residents
- Startups that are tech or innovation-driven and under three years old
- Tax compliant with the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS)
Applicants are also required to have valid identification from LASRRA (Lagos State Residents Registration Agency) and LIRS to participate.
How applications will be assessed
According to LSETF, all submissions will be evaluated strictly on merit by a panel of judges drawn from the Lagos startup ecosystem.
Applications will be scored across four key areas:
- Market opportunity
- Strength of the founding team
- Progress or traction achieved
- Strength of recommendation from a credible third party
Each application carries a maximum score of 100 points, with a minimum threshold of 50 points required to qualify. Vouchers will be awarded to the highest-scoring startups until the allocated slots are filled.
While a third-party recommendation is not compulsory, it can significantly improve an applicant’s score. Recommended referees include experienced founders, investors, or recognised operators within the ecosystem who can provide credible insight into the startup’s potential.
Application deadline and access
The Workspace Voucher Programme is a competitive opportunity aimed at identifying and supporting promising startups in Lagos rather than serving as a general access scheme.
Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their entries before the deadline of 20 May 2026.
Applications can be completed via the official portal:
lagosinnovates.grantplatform.com
