In the heart of Lagos’ bustling innovation ecosystem, The Startup Place is quietly making bold moves. Founded in 2015 with a mission to bridge the gap between brilliant ideas and sustainable business models, the Hub has become a trusted growth partner for startups navigating Nigeria’s unpredictable entrepreneurial landscape.
More than just co-working space or incubation programs, The Startup Place is a community of practice, one where ideas are refined, partnerships are sparked, and founders are coached into confident, investment-ready entrepreneurs.
Creating Space for Structure
The Startup Place emerged in response to a problem too familiar in Nigeria’s ecosystem: the high mortality rate of startups.
“We saw so many bright ideas crumble, not because the idea wasn’t good, but because the business wasn’t ready,” CoFounder, Mark Onoja reflects.
That insight shaped the Hub’s founding mission: to provide structure, mentorship, and access to business support services that early-stage founders typically lack. From market readiness to business modeling and investor engagement, The Startup Place has developed a practical, results-driven approach to enterprise development, one that has supported over 1,000 businesses to date across Nigeria and beyond.
While Lagos continues to be a nucleus of innovation in Nigeria, The Startup Place acknowledges that structural barriers persist; especially outside major cities. Talent is abundant, but support systems, infrastructure, and access to capital remain inconsistent. Cofounder, Mark Onoja emphasised the need for stronger public-private collaboration, improved internet access, and startup-friendly policies to close these gaps and truly democratise innovation across the country.
Among The Startup Place’s many programs, one stands out: The Investment Readiness Accelerator. Designed for post-revenue startups looking to scale, this flagship program offers mentorship, financial modeling, pitch preparation, and investor matchmaking. It’s a strategic response to one of the ecosystem’s biggest bottlenecks; bridging the gap between startup survival and smart capital.
Inclusive by Design
Inclusivity is not an afterthought at The Startup Place, it’s intentional. Through women-focused entrepreneurship programs, youth innovation bootcamps, and scholarships for young tech founders, the Hub actively works to level the playing field. Their programs prioritise female-led businesses and create safe spaces where youth and women feel seen, supported, and equipped to lead.
As an active member of the Innovation Support Network (ISN), The Startup Place continues to deepen its impact through collaboration. ISN Hub’s ecosystem connections, funding pathways, and advocacy efforts have helped elevate the Hub’s visibility and broaden its reach. It’s a partnership that reinforces what The Startup Place already embodies: growth is better when it’s shared.
From program design to policy advocacy, The Startup Place is not just responding to challenges, the Hub is shaping the future of enterprise in Nigeria. With a clear vision and a growing track record of success, they are proving everyday that when you combine structure with passion, startups do not just survive, they scale.
