AEP Digital
Programme Description
FATE Foundation in partnership with Meta launches the 6th edition of the “Aspiring Entrepreneurs Programme: Digital (AEP Digital)” which is targeted at startup Founders with innovative business ideas between the ages of 25 and 45 years.
The Program leverages on FATE Foundation’s AEP’s unrivaled enterprise development curriculum which covers the basics of starting and growing a successful business in Nigeria and Meta’s digital strategy and literacy programming support for small and growing businesses.
In 2023 we would be supporting 80 Aspiring Entrepreneurs from across different sectors in the Nigerian Economy with special consideration for entrepreneurs in the Education, Agriculture, Hospitality & Tourism, Creatives. Our intent in selecting these sectors is their consideration as high growth, high impact, and job-creating sectors for the Nigerian economy.
As with previous AEP Digital editions, this program is designed to provide qualified founders with relevant knowledge, tools, and skills to grow sustainable and digitally-enabled businesses while also impacting the economy positively. Key components of this year’s program are:
- It will run in an hybrid format (in-person and virtual learning and support sessions).
- Improved curriculum building on the previous year’s learnings and experience.
- Integrating the program with established state and local level industry associations, trade groups, and the FATE Alumni network; and
- As with previous editions, it is absolutely Free with the grant from Meta covering tuition and direct program expenses for reading materials and resources during the program. Participants are however expected to get themselves to and from the program venue locations
The AEP Digital curriculum is designed to provide insight to aspiring entrepreneurs to see diverse hidden market potentials despite the ravaging unforeseen changes in the world, help create a structured and practical business model, and learn the diverse opportunities available through the various digital tools to grow their businesses. The curriculum is designed to bring business owners into a face-to-face position with the realities of running a successful enterprise in the new and/or arising entrepreneurship ecosystem with implementable strategies that will ensure online visibility using different digital tools and strategies.
These sessions will be facilitated by various industry leaders and professionals across the entrepreneurship ecosystem using a pedagogy approach to build networks amongst the entrepreneurs and encourage group/teamwork for better learning. The robust learning structure is a combination of hybrid interactive class sessions which will run for four (5) weeks per cohort, workshops, case studies, entrepreneurship book reviews, plenary sessions, masterclasses, and group activities.
Key Benefits and Learning Outcomes
- Business Model Development/Review Strategies
- Digital Marketing Strategies & Knowledge
- Financial Literacy and Cashflow Management
- Business Financing Strategies
- Insights into relevant local and industry networks/business groups
- Access to Free Digital Tools and Platforms
- Facebook Ad Credits for Winners of the state level/national Pitch Competition
- Access to FATE Foundation’s Business Advisory and Support Services
- Access to Funding and Market Linkages
2023 AEP Digital
Class Timelines per State
| States Cohort | Application Closing Dates | Programme Start and End Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Abia | Sept 30, 2023 | Oct 16 – Nov 17, 2023 |
| Akwa-Ibom | Sept 25, 2023 | October 2 - November 10 2023 |
The application will be in three (3) stages, and you are required to complete all three stages to be eligible for further processing.
Stage I:
Interested applicants must complete the application form here.
Stage 2:
Upload the following documents:
A Profile Picture (headshot facing camera)
School Certificate or Statement of Result from an Accredited Tertiary Institution
Birth Certificate
Resume
C.A.C. Certificate
Please lookout for an email and link to upload
Stage III: Following a review of all received applications, Qualified candidates will be shortlisted for a 10–20-minute phone/video interview after which 40 applicants will be shortlisted for each stream.
Through the support of Meta, the programme is FREE to all entrepreneurs who successfully scale through the three application stages. This scholarship support from Meta covers all direct course fees including course materials, books, and post programme support.
This is a State-by-State Hybrid training, and it is expected that each entrepreneur enrolled in the programme must be from the location/city where you have applied for the programme. This will also be verified during the shortlisting/selection process.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, you must:
- Between 25 – 45 years old
- Computer Literate
- Have Access to a Laptop or Data-Enabled Device
- Have already registered and launched a business.
- Have graduated from an Accredited Tertiary Level Institution
- Must be able to participate all through the required programme duration
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When Can I Apply?
Applications will be open from April 18, 2022 and will be on a rolling basis as each new State stream starts. We recommend applicants to register 3 weeks before the start of the programme in each city as that is when shortlisting and interviews commence
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How many entrepreneurs are you selecting per stream?
Forty (40) Entrepreneurs per cohort
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Is there a Fee to Participate?
No, the programme is free of charge.
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Will there be weekend classes?
No, there would be no weekend classes.
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How Do I Know if my Application Has Been Successful?
Only applicants shortlisted for the second stage will be contacted. If your application is successful, you will be contacted for the next stage.
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Can I make changes to my application after I have submitted or do I do a Fresh Application Instead?
No. You cannot make changes after your application has been summited. Once you have submitted it, it becomes final, and you will not be able to edit the application. Also, multiple entries will be disqualified. So, we encourage you to verify your application carefully before submitting it.
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What is the time involvement expected for participants?
Each stream will run for a period of four (5) weeks and with an average of about 2-3 days of involvement per week.
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Can a member of my team replace me in the programme?
No. Only the business owner/founder/co-founder that applied for this programme is allowed to participate.
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Where Should I Send any Enquiries?
Email [email protected]. Also, follow @FATE Foundation on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date
