LAGOS – HELSINKI
STARTUP ACCELERATOR EXCHANGE
Innovation Ecosystem Partnership | 2027 Inaugural Cohort
About The Program
ScaleUpLagos, in partnership with the Helsinki Innovation Ecosystem, is launching the Lagos-Helsinki Startup Accelerator Exchange Path 2027—an international pathway for innovation-driven startups emerging from Lagos & Africa to scale globally. Empowering innovators to build globally competitive ventures.
Locations
Phase 1: Lagos, Nigeria
Phase 2:
Helsinki, Finland
Duration
Program: 4 Months
Cohort:
6 Startups
Event Speakers
Meet the minds shaping Africa’s tech future
Ada Okonkwo
Founder, CodeForNaija
Samuel Etim
CTO, PayBridge Africa
Fatima Ahmed
Data Scientist, Cairo AI Lab
Tunde Bello
Product Lead, SafaritechEvent Schedule
Three days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration in African tech
Registration & Networking
Opening Keynote Gaffar Ibrahim – ScaleUp Africa
Shaping Africa’s tech future: Vision and mission
Panel: Tech Hubs Driving Growth
Insights from Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa
Lunch Break
Workshop: Building with React
Hands-on web development with modern tools
Showcase: Bootcamp Success Stories
Past participants share their ScaleUp journey
Data Science in Africa Fatima Ahmed
Real-world applications using Python and Pandas
Digital Marketing for African Brands
Using SEO, social media, and email to grow
Lunch & Networking
Women in Tech Roundtable
Closing the gender gap in Africa’s tech space
Mini Hackathon Launch
Participants break into teams to build solutions
Pitch Clinic
Preparing ideas for the final demo session
Project Presentations
Teams present their tech solutions to judges
Lunch Break
Award & Certificate Ceremony
Recognition of standout participants and teams
Closing Address ScaleUp Africa Team
Reflecting on impact and next steps
Program Timeline
From launch to Cohort One
Official Launch
Kreateng Africa Bootcamp cohort & Alumni Conference.
ScaleUpLagos Summit
Participation in the ScaleUpLagos Entrepreneurship Summit.
Slush 2026 - Helsinki
Ecosystem visits, investor sessions & Helsinki stakeholder engagement.
Selection
Applications, interviews and final startup selection.
Cohort One Launch
Phase 1 Lagos · Venture Readiness → Phase 2 Helsinki · International Residency.
4 months. Two cities. One growth path.
An international pathway for innovation-driven startups
Phase 1: Lagos
1 MonthVenture Readiness & Growth Preparation
Selected startups gain access to workshops, mentorship, and investor engagement to refine their business models and prepare for international scaling.
Focus Areas:
- Business model refinement
- Customer discovery
- Investment readiness
- Founder coaching
- Product-market fit validation
- Go-to-market strategy
- Pitch development
Phase 2: Helsinki
3 MonthsInternational Scaling within the Helsinki Innovation Ecosystem
Startups work with European partners, access global mentorship, and expand into international markets with strategic support from leading innovation hubs.
Focus Areas:
- Market access & expansion
- Global mentorship
- Corporate innovation partnerships
- International growth strategy
- Customer & partner intros
- Investor engagement
- Ecosystem & community access
Event Venue
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ScaleUp Growth Hub, Lagos
Join a network of high-growth startups and seasoned mentors driving scalable solutions. At ScaleUp Growth Hub, we support founders with access to funding, strategic workshops, and a collaborative space built for rapid expansion. Build smarter, grow faster.
Gallery
Moments from past events, team activities, and community sessions
Priority Innovation Areas
Where we're looking for founders
Artificial Intelligence
AIMachine learning, automation, and intelligent systems
Extended Reality
XR · AR · VRImmersive technologies and spatial computing
HealthTech
Digital HealthHealthcare solutions and digital wellness
AgriTech
Food SystemsAgricultural innovation and food production
ClimateTech
SustainabilityClimate action and environmental solutions
FinTech
Financial ServicesFinancial technology and blockchain innovations
EdTech
Learning SystemsEducational technology and skill development
DeepTech
Frontier ScienceDeep science and complex technology breakthroughs
Cybersecurity
Trust · ResilienceSecurity solutions and digital trust infrastructure
+ Research Commercialization Ventures | Innovations, research and lab discoveries pursuing market traction
Sponsors
Partners and supporters who help us grow tech communities, power our programs, and extend our reach
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about ScaleUp programs, events, and participation
What is ScaleUp?
ScaleUp is a community-driven learning platform that hosts events, workshops, and mentorship programs to support tech talent.
Who can attend ScaleUp events?
Anyone interested in tech, design, product, or startup growth including students, early professionals, and founders.
Are the events free?
Most events are free. Some special sessions or bootcamps may require a small fee to cover logistics or materials.
Can I volunteer or become a speaker?
Yes. We welcome community contributions. You can apply to volunteer, speak, or partner via our contact form or during events.
How do I stay updated?
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. You can also subscribe to our newsletter for upcoming events and updates.
Where do events take place?
Most events happen in Lagos and Abuja. We also host virtual sessions and community meetups in other cities.
Contact
Reach out to partner with us, ask questions, or join the ScaleUp community
Address
4b Oshineye Pedro Street, Lagos, Nigeria
Call Us
+234 701 234 5678
Email Us
hello@scaleupcommunity.org