Founder Institute and Semicolon to Support Early-Stage Founders

The Founder Institute (http://fi.co), the world’s largest pre-seed accelerator program, and Semicolon (http://semicolon.africa), an organisation turning Africa’s vibrant youth population into an army of technologists – software developers, enterprise architects, project managers, etc., are announcing a local partnership to further connect early-stage startups with technical resources.

As part of this partnership, the two organizations are announcing a mutual partnership to collaborate and work with aspiring software engineers and entrepreneurs in the tech ecosystem through Founder Institute program and Semicolon’s Techpreneurship program in Lagos, Nigeria.

“A country’s greatest investment is in its people and we must do what we can at all times to drive it—drive them.” – Semicolon

Founder Institute and Semicolon will collaborate to support and provide resources for the 40+ startups joining Founder Institute Lagos each year. In addition to supporting startup founders throughout Lagos, a goal of this initiative will be to [train entrepreneurs from the idea stage to early company stage/equip individuals with problem-solving skills for society].

According to the Regional Director, Founder Institute, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr:

“We are proud of the value Semicolon has added so far. This collaboration will in no way increase the value both organisations can offer the ecosystem because the connection between a world-class curriculum and quality technical resources will result in the creation of great companies in a very short time”.

For early-stage founders and teams up to the challenge, the Founder Institute’s comprehensive step-by-step program provides the structure, mentor support, and global network of entrepreneurs needed to start an enduring company.

The Founder Institute is the only program of its kind that focuses on people versus ideas, accepts founders with day jobs, and shares equity with all participants. Founder Institute Graduate companies include fast-rising startups across 6 continents like Udemy, Realty Mogul, Travelcar, goplaceit, Appota, and many more.

Semicolon achieves its aim through an intensive 12-month programme, we train Nigerians in core IT skills (such as software development, enterprise architecture and project management), as well as leadership, entrepreneurship and business management skills.

Semicolon students work on innovation-oriented projects, take internships and work with mentors to develop hands-on experience, build their professional networks and develop innovative technical solutions to the world’s problems.