With a decade-long track record of training more than 1,700 aspiring entrepreneurs and funding 425 business owners, International Breweries Plc (IBPLC) has opened applications for its 2025 Kickstart initiative, which targets young Nigerian entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35.
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The programme offers comprehensive support from training to grant funding and focuses on priority growth sectors including retail, agriculture, renewable energy, circular packaging, and recycling businesses.
Corporate Affairs and Regulatory Director at IBPLC, Mrs Temitope Oguntokun, described the initiative as part of the company’s commitment to building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, noting how previous beneficiaries have grown from small startups to become employers of labour.
“We are excited to welcome the next generation of changemakers in 2025,” Oguntokun said Saturday in Lagos, explaining that the programme offers mentorship opportunities and access to a vibrant alumni network beyond just funding.
The 2025 edition follows a structured entrepreneurial journey beginning with competitive application and screening, followed by virtual training delivered in partnership with Pan-Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre. Participants then advance to an intensive business bootcamp supported by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
The programme culminates in the Pitch-Fest competition, where finalists present their business ideas to seasoned experts for a chance to win grant funding and ongoing support.
Dr Peter Bamkole, Chairman of the Advisory Board at International Breweries Foundation, highlighted the company’s belief that Nigeria’s economic transformation depends on young entrepreneurs, with Kickstart designed to reduce unemployment and promote inclusive growth.
“We are looking for passionate, resilient individuals ready to grow their businesses, whether in agriculture, recycling, retail, or renewable energy,” Bamkole stated, highlighting this as an opportunity to access essential knowledge, networks, and funding.
Eligible applicants must be running businesses operational for no more than three years or have viable business ideas aligned with the programme’s focus sectors. The initiative also provides opportunities for persons living with disabilities to participate.
The Kickstart programme represents the corporate social responsibility arm of IBPLC, targeting youth-driven enterprises that the company believes will shape Nigeria’s economic future.
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