One year that changes how you build — forever.
A world-class, one-year founder-development programme based at Imo Digital City in Owerri and backed by the Imo State Government — with mentoring from Silicon Valley founders and a method built with UC Berkeley's Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology.
Cohort 2 · Open to founders across Nigeria
0 places
For aspiring founders
First deadline
Monday 19 October
Final deadline
Monday 2 November
What Founder Dojo Imo Is
We build founders, not just startups.
Founder Dojo Imo is a one-year founder-development programme based at Imo Digital City in Owerri and backed by the Imo State Government.
It doesn't hand you a business plan. It trains how you think about problems, customers, uncertainty, and your role as a founder. Your mentors are people who have built and scaled companies themselves, and the method was developed with UC Berkeley's Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology.
“The Founder Dojo isn't about startups, it's about building founders… think of it as a high-level gym for your founder skills.”
Who It's For
Ready to commit to a year of building.
Founders and aspiring founders anywhere in Nigeria, with or without a startup today. If you want a pep talk, this isn't for you. If you want to be pushed, it is.
The young tech talent
Already building in your spare time and ready to make it your main thing.
The corporate underdog
You see the problem nobody upstairs will fix, and you want to be the one who fixes it.
The brilliant mind in the background
You have never called yourself a founder. This is where that changes.
“Come with an open mind and a thick skin — this program mimics the volatility of the real world.”
What You Get
A proven method, from idea to international exposure.
Up to a year of founder development
From idea to international exposure.
Owerri intensives, Silicon Valley mentoring
In-person intensives at Imo Digital City, plus remote mentoring from Silicon Valley.
Mentors who have done it
People who have launched, failed, pivoted and scaled companies themselves.
Applied learning
Hands-on challenges, teamwork and real-time feedback, not lectures.
Built with UC Berkeley's Sutardja Center
A method used with 5,000+ founders across 82 countries.
What Cohort 1 Achieved
100 founders came to Owerri.
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startups pitched to UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed
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founders in the first cohort
Teams also showcased their work at GITEX Lagos. The nine Cohort 1 startups:
In Their Words
Cohort 1, on the record.
“The initial 3-Day Bootcamp is equivalent to 4 years in the University studying some courses that are not relevant to the present and future realities.”
“For over two years, I faced a major challenge in my startup… To my absolute shock, Chris Burry gave me the answer, instantly.”
“I honestly don't reason the same way I did before.”
“It's a life-changing opportunity, the first of its kind in Nigeria. Grab it with both hands.”
The Team Behind It
Run by the Global Innovation Dojo and USMAC.
They have worked with 5,000+ founders from 82 countries since 2011. Their tracked portfolio of 517 companies has raised $6.7B in follow-on funding, with 61 exits including 13 IPOs.
A partnership of the Imo State Government, Imo Digital City, Global Innovation Dojo and USMAC.
How To Apply
The application takes time. Make it count.
It's what we use to select founders. Apply by Monday 19 October for full consideration.
Budget time
It's a long form. Short, thoughtful answers beat long ones.
Record your video
Tell us who you are and why you want to be part of this programme.
Use your own voice
We're listening for your insights and your drive. We skip AI-generated answers.