Chocolate City opens applications for $1m creative fund

Chocolate City Group has launched the inaugural Founders Fund Africa Creative Economy Accelerator Programme, offering funding between $20,000 and $50,000 to selected startups within Africa’s creative industries. This initiative aims to support early-stage businesses in music, film, media, design, and creative technology by providing mentorship, investor readiness training, strategic partnerships, and access to capital.

The accelerator program is a component of the $1 million Founders Fund Africa, which was unveiled during Chocolate City Group’s 20th-anniversary celebration in October 2025. The fund is being implemented in collaboration with Argentil Capital Management Limited and Co-Creation Hub. Ten high-potential startups will be chosen for an intensive program designed to strengthen their business models, enhance their investment readiness, and connect them with investors, industry experts, and experienced entrepreneurs.

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Founders Fund Africa was created to unlock opportunities for the next generation of creative entrepreneurs. Across Africa, we’re seeing founders build innovative businesses that are redefining music, film, design and technology, yet many still struggle to access the support they need to scale.

Audu Maikori, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Chocolate City Group, stated that the program was created to address the support gap faced by many African creative entrepreneurs. He highlighted the increasing number of founders building innovative businesses that are redefining the creative landscape across Africa, yet many still struggle to access the necessary support for scaling. The organization is actively seeking founders with bold ideas, strong execution capabilities, and the ambition to build businesses that can shape Africa’s creative economy.

Paul Okeugo, co-founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Chocolate City Group, added that the initiative draws inspiration from the company’s experience in building a leading independent entertainment firm in Africa. He emphasized the importance of guidance, meaningful partnerships, and belief in a vision for creative founders. Gbenga Hassan, Managing Partner of Argentil Capital Management Limited, described Africa’s creative economy as an increasingly attractive investment destination, noting that the program will focus on startups with scalable business models and the capacity to create long-term economic value. Applications close on August 28, 2026.

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It takes the right guidance, meaningful partnerships and people who believe in your vision. Founders Fund Africa is about giving creative founders access to that support so they can build businesses that endure.