Apply With Link FG Launches Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG)

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has launched the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), a major national initiative that offers equity-free funding of up to ₦50 million to promising student-led ventures. The scheme — described by the Ministry as a central pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda — aims to transform student ideas into commercially viable, high-impact businesses and to cultivate the next generation of Nigerian innovators.

Speaking at the announcement, the Honourable Minister of Education emphasized the national importance of the programme and charged universities and colleges to help uncover the “next moonshot” projects. The S-VCG targets student founders with solutions in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM) and focuses on ventures with clear potential for scale and commercialisation.

You may want to also read Apply With Link Next Gen Airtel And 3MTT Fellowship program 2025/2026

What successful applicants will receive

Beyond funding, successful teams will be absorbed into a comprehensive support ecosystem that includes:

• Intensive incubation programs
• Expert mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry leaders
• Full access to tools, platforms and resources required to develop and scale startups

Strategic partnership with Google (Gemini AI)

To strengthen the application and evaluation process, the Ministry announced a strategic partnership with Google. Google’s Gemini AI will power custom “evaluation agents” embedded in the application portal to deliver fair, intelligent, and efficient review of submissions. Additionally, every applicant who successfully submits a business project will receive a one-year free Google Gemini Pro license plus premium learning resources to build entrepreneurial and technical capability.

Who should apply & how

All eligible Nigerian students currently enrolled in accredited tertiary institutions are encouraged to apply. Applicants are advised to submit proposals demonstrating scalability, market relevance, and the potential to address critical national or global challenges.

The official application portal is now open at: https://svcg.education.gov.ng applicants should visit the portal, prepare a concise pitch and supporting information, and submit before the deadline.

The S-VCG represents a rare opportunity for student entrepreneurs to receive significant, equity-free capital combined with mentorship and world-class tools. If you are a student with an idea that can scale, this initiative could provide the resources and network to take your venture from campus to market.