The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), in partnership with AfriGloCal Venture Capital, has commenced the third edition of the Female Founders & Funders (FFF) programme aimed at supporting women running tech startups in Lagos.
The initiative is designed to strengthen women-led innovation businesses by providing access to funding opportunities, mentorship, and specialised training that can help founders scale their ventures within the growing Lagos technology ecosystem.
The six-week programme will deliver structured masterclasses covering areas such as business modelling, product-led growth, startup finance, legal frameworks, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, artificial intelligence integration, and investment readiness.
Organisers say the programme is focused on bridging the persistent gap between female-led startups and available investment capital. Under the theme “Fund Her Future,” the initiative will conclude with a competitive Demo Day where selected founders will pitch their ventures to a curated audience of investors and stakeholders.
The programme is delivered through Lagos Innovates, the tech ecosystem support arm of the LSETF. It is specifically structured to increase access to capital, mentorship, and strategic networks for early-stage startups that have at least one female founder.
Now in its third cycle, the Female Founders & Funders programme aims to expand opportunities for female entrepreneurs building technology-driven solutions in Lagos.
Since its launch, the initiative has supported more than 33 female founders, trained over 24 aspiring female investors, and awarded more than nine million naira in prizes to participating startups.
More than 30 industry mentors have also contributed to the programme, providing guidance to participants on business growth, fundraising strategies, and product development.
The programme operates through a dual-track model designed to strengthen both sides of the startup investment pipeline. One pathway focuses on incubating female founders building innovative businesses, while the second pathway accelerates aspiring female investors seeking to participate in early-stage funding.
According to Feyisayo Alayande, Executive Secretary of the LSETF, the programme reflects the organisation’s broader mission of strengthening entrepreneurship and supporting inclusive economic growth in Lagos.
“For over a decade, the LSETF has deployed targeted interventions to strengthen entrepreneurs and the innovation ecosystem. As we mark ten years of impact, expanding Female Founders & Funders reflects our steadfast commitment to inclusive economic growth and supporting female-led ventures as a strategic driver of the Lagos economy,” she said.
Programme Director Oyindamola Egbeyemi also noted that the initiative is helping to address long-standing barriers faced by women seeking capital and mentorship in the technology sector.
Similarly, Mope Abudu, Managing Partner at AfriGloCal VC, emphasised the importance of improving funding access for women building scalable businesses.
“Access to capital remains one of the most significant barriers facing female founders. Female Founders & Funders tackles this challenge from both sides, equipping women to build scalable ventures while simultaneously increasing the number of women participating in early-stage investment,” Abudu said.
Women who are building or investing in tech-enabled ventures within Lagos State can apply through the official portal:
lagosinnovates.ng/female-founders-funders
Applications close on April 4, 2026.
