By submitting an application to the ScaleUp Business Accelerator 2.0 ("the Program"), you ("the Applicant" or "Participant") agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before applying.
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Definitions
- "Foundation" refers to Bet9ja Foundation, the organizer of the Program.
- "Program" refers to the ScaleUp Business Accelerator 2.0, including the application process, accelerator program, and Demo Night.
- "Grant" refers to the financial award of ₦3,000,000 provided to selected finalists, and the ₦5,000,000 Grand Prize.
- "Accelerator" refers to the 8-week intensive business development program.
- "Demo Night" refers to the final pitch event schedoled for July 4, 2026.
- "Cohort" refers to the 10 finalists selected to participate in the Accelerator and receive the Grant.
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Eligibility Requirements
2.1. Business Requirements
- The business must be registered in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a limited liability company or with a valid Business Name (BN) registration.
- The business must have been operational for a minimum of six (6) months at the time of application, with evidence of active trading or service delivery.
- The business must demonstrate potential for scalability, sustainability, and impact.
- The business must operate within eligible sectors as defined in the application guidelines.
2.2. Founder Requirements
- Applicants must be Nigerian citizens or legal residents of Nigeria.
- The primary applicant must be a founder or co-founder actively involved in day-to-day operations.
- Business owners/founders must be at least 22 years old and not more than 40 years old at the time of application (born between March 1, 1986 and March 1, 2004).
- Applicants must be available to participate fully in the 8-week Accelerator program and Demo Night.
2.3. Founder Requirements
The following are NOT eligible to apply:
- Employees, directors, or contractors of Bet9ja Foundation, KC Gaming Networks Limited, or any affiliated entity
- Immediate family members of Foundation staff or judges
- Previous recipients of ScaleUp Business Accelerator grants
- Businesses operating in prohibited sectors (gambling, tobacco, alcohol, adult entertainment, weapons)
- Businesses with unresolved legal disputes or ongoing regulatory investigations
- Sole proprietorships without formal business registration
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Application Process
3.1. Submission Requirements
- All applications must be submitted through the official online platform by March 31, 2026 at 11:59pm West Africa Time (WAT).
- No paper applications, email submissions, or late applications will be accepted under any circumstances.
- Applicants must complete ALL required fields and upload ALL required documents.
- Incomplete applications will be automatically disqualified.
3.2. Required Documentation
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Business Plan using the provided template
- Financial Summary using the provided template
- CAC Certificate of Incorporation or Business Name Registration
- Valid government-issued ID (NIN slip or International Passport)
- Bank statement for the business account (last 6 months)
3.3. Accuracy and Truthfulness
- All information provided must be accurate, complete, and up-to-date.
- Any false, misleading, or fraudulent information will result in immediate disqualification.
- The Foundation reserves the right to verify all information provided and request additional documentation.
- Applicants found to have submitted falsified documents may be reported to relevant authorities.
3.4. Multiple Entries
Only ONE application per business is permitted. If multiple applications are detected from the same business, all entries will be disqualified.
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Selection Process
Applications will be evaluated through a multi-stage process:
4.1. Evaluation Stages
- Eligibility Screening: Verification of minimum requirements
- Technical Scoring: Independent review by two evaluators against published criteria
- Shortlist Interviews: Virtual interviews with the Selection Panel
- Due Diligence: Verification of documentation and references
- Final Selection: Cohort of 10 finalists selected
4.2. Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be scored based on:
- Innovation & Solution Quality (25%)
- Business Viability & Financial Sustainability (25%)
- Team Strength & Execution Capacity (20%)
- Market Potential & Growth Opportunity (20%)
- Social Impact & Sustainability (10%)
4.3. Finality of Decisions
The decision of the Selection Panel is final. The Foundation will not entertain appeals, requests for reconsideration, or challenges regarding selection decisions. Feedback on unsuccessful applications cannot be provided due to application volume.
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Grant Amount and Structure
5.1. Evaluation Stages
- Base Grant: ₦3,000,000 per finalist (10 recipients)
- Grand Prize: Additional ₦5,000,000 for Best Pitch at Demo Night
- Total Grant Pool: ₦35,000,000
5.2. Disbursement Schedule
Grants will be disbursed in two tranches:
- Tranche 1 (50%): Disbursed upon execution of Grant Agreement and completion of KYC/AML verification
- Tranche 2 (50%): Disbursed upon verified completion of agreed milestones, typically within 30 days of Demo Night
5.3. Permitted Use of Funds
Grant funds must be used exclusively for business growth and development as outlined in the approved business plan. Permitted uses include:
- Working capital for operations
- Equipment and technology acquisition
- Marketing and customer acquisition
- Team expansion (milestone-linked hiring)
- Inventory and production costs
- Professional services (legal, accounting, consulting)
5.4. Prohibited Use of Funds
Grant funds may NOT be used for:
- Personal expenses of founders, employees, or family members
- Repayment of personal debts or loans
- Political donations or contributions
- Purchase of real estate or vehicles for personal use
- Activities unrelated to the registered business
- Distribution to shareholders or profit-taking
5.5. Reporting Requirements
- Grant recipients must submit monthly progress reports for six (6) months following disbursement.
- Reports must include financial statements, KPI updates, and evidence of fund utilization.
- Receipts for expenditures of ₦100,000 or more must be retained and submitted upon request.
- The Foundation may conduct monitoring visits (virtual or physical) at any time.
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Accelerator Program Participation
6.1. Mandatory Participation
- Participation in the 8-week Accelerator program is MANDATORY for all grant recipients.
- The Accelerator includes weekly masterclasses, mentorship sessions, peer learning, and assignments.
- Participants must attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled sessions.
- Failure to meet attendance requirements may result in suspension or termination of grant.
6.2. Program Deliverables
Participants must complete and submit all required deliverables, including:
- Business Model Canvas and Value Proposition Canvas
- 3-year Financial Model
- Market Analysis and Competitive Positioning
- Marketing and Sales Plans
- Operations Process Map and KPI Dashboard
- Final Pitch Deck for Demo Night
6.3. Demo Night Participation
- All finalists MUST participate in the Demo Night on July 4, 2026.
- Participants will deliver a 5-7 minute pitch followed by Q&A.
- Failure to participate in Demo Night will result in forfeiture of the Grand Prize eligibility and may affect Tranche 2 disbursement.
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Intellectual Property Rights
7.1. Ownership
All intellectual property rights related to the Applicant's business, products, services, and ideas remain the sole property of the Applicant. The Foundation does not claim any ownership, equity, or rights in participants' businesses.
7.2. License for Promotional Use
By participating in the Program, Applicants grant the Foundation a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use:
- Business name, logo, and branding
- Non-confidential business descriptions
- Photos and videos captured during Program activities
- Testimonials and success stories
This license is for promotional, marketing, and reporting purposes only, and does not extend to commercial exploitation of participant IP.
7.3. Third-Party IP
Applicants warrant that their business does not infringe on any third-party intellectual property rights. Any liability arising from IP infringement rests solely with the Applicant.
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Confidentiality
- Participants agree to maintain confidentiality of all non-public information shared by mentors, partners, Foundation staff, and fellow participants during the Program.
- Trade secrets, proprietary methodologies, and strategic information should not be disclosed without explicit consent.
- The Foundation will treat business-sensitive information in applications as confidential, sharing only with evaluators, mentors, and staff on a need-to-know basis.
- Evaluators and mentors are bound by confidentiality agreements.
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Code of Conduct
All participants must adhere to the following standards:
- Treat all fellow participants, mentors, staff, and partners with respect and professionalism.
- Participate actively and constructively in all Program activities.
- Maintain honest and transparent communication with the Foundation.
- Refrain from any form of harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior.
- Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Report any concerns or incidents promptly to Foundation staff.
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Termination and Disqualification
10.1. Grounds for Termination
The Foundation may terminate participation and/or recover grants if:
- Treat all fellow participants, mentors, staff, and partners with respect and professionalism.
- Participate actively and constructively in all Program activities.
- Maintain honest and transparent communication with the Foundation.
- Refrain from any form of harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior.
- Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Report any concerns or incidents promptly to Foundation staff.
Participants may withdraw from the Program by providing written notice to the Foundation. Grant funds already disbursed must be returned if not used in accordance with the approved plan.
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Limitation of Liability
- The Foundation is not responsible for the success or failure of any participant's business.
- The Foundation makes no guarantees regarding investment, funding, or partnership outcomes.
- Participation in the Program does not constitute an employment, partnership, or agency relationship.
- The Foundation's total liability is limited to the grant amount disbursed to the participant.
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Data Protection and Privacy
- Personal and business data collected will be processed in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
- Data will be used for Program administration, evaluation, reporting, and communications.
- Applicants have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of their data.
- Data will be retained for five (5) years following program completion, then securely deleted.
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Amendments
The Foundation reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. Material changes will be communicated to participants in writing. Continued participation constitutes acceptance of amended terms.
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Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
- These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Disputes shall first be addressed through good-faith negotiation.
- Unresolved disputes may be referred to arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.
- The venue for any legal proceedings shall be Lagos, Nigeria.
By submitting an application to the ScaleUp Business Accelerator 2.0, I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
