In a significant stride towards fostering youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria, the International Breweries Plc Foundation has announced the 2025 edition of its Kickstart Entrepreneurship Programme. This initiative aims to empower young Nigerians by providing them with the necessary tools to transform their business ideas into successful ventures.
What is the Kickstart Entrepreneurship Programme?
Launched in 2016, the Kickstart Programme is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of International Breweries Plc. It focuses on supporting youth-owned businesses through comprehensive training, access to capital (grants), and mentorship. The programme is designed to nurture young entrepreneurs and equip them with the skills needed to thrive in the competitive business landscape.
Programme Highlights
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Grant Opportunities: Successful applicants stand a chance to receive grants ranging from ₦750,000 to ₦3 million, aimed at providing seed capital to kickstart or scale their businesses.
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Training and Mentorship: The programme offers intensive business training and mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts, ensuring that participants are well-equipped to manage and grow their enterprises.
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Focus Areas: The 2025 edition emphasizes sectors such as agriculture (particularly the maize, rice, and sorghum value chains), retailing, circular economy (recycling), renewable energy, and technology.
Eligibility Criteria
To participate in the Kickstart Entrepreneurship Programme 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria:
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Age: Be between 18 and 35 years old.
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Business Stage: Operate a business that is in its early stages, within 0 to 3 years of establishment.
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Business Idea: Possess a viable business idea or an existing business that aligns with the programme’s focus areas.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can submit their applications through the official Kickstart portal: https://www.international-breweries.com/kickstart. The application process is free of charge, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted with further instructions.
Impact and Success Stories
Since its inception, the Kickstart Programme has made a significant impact on the Nigerian entrepreneurial landscape. Over the years, it has:
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Empowered over 425 young entrepreneurs with grants totaling more than ₦600 million.
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Created over 2,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs, contributing to the reduction of unemployment in the country.
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Provided training and mentorship to hundreds of young Nigerians, helping them build sustainable businesses.
Success stories from previous beneficiaries include entrepreneurs like Babatunde Adebayo, who upgraded his business with modern equipment and now employs nine staff members, and Olanrewaju Faleye, whose business generates an annual revenue exceeding ₦50 million.
Note
The International Breweries Plc Foundation Kickstart Entrepreneurship Programme 2025 presents a unique opportunity for young Nigerians to access the resources and support needed to turn their business ideas into reality. By providing grants, training, and mentorship, the programme plays a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and contributing to the economic development of Nigeria.
For more information and to apply, visit the official Kickstart portal: https://www.international-breweries.com/kickstart.
Ochazy NG
Silas NG