Co-creation Hub, known as CcHUB, has opened applications for the fourth cohort of its edtech fellowship, a 12 month programme that will provide $100,000 in equity free funding to 12 early stage startups in Nigeria. The initiative, delivered in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is designed to support education technology companies building practical solutions for learners who are often left out of mainstream systems.
This new cohort places a strong focus on impact. It targets founders developing tools for people living with disabilities, refugees and displaced persons, underserved and rural communities, as well as young girls and women. By shifting attention to these groups, CcHUB aims to close gaps in access and ensure that innovation in education reaches those who need it most.
Since its launch, the fellowship has supported more than 70 edtech startups across Africa. These include Smart Stewards, hiPrep, Varsityscape, Mavis Computel, AI Teacha, BlueSands Academy, Cloudnotte, Tespire and FlexiSAF. Together, these companies now reach over 700,000 learners, with 89 percent being children and youth. The gender split among learners is nearly balanced, with 49 percent female and 51 percent male. These numbers show that targeted support can lead to wide scale access and measurable results.
For the fourth cohort, the 12 selected startups will receive $100,000 each in equity free grants. Beyond funding, they will take part in a structured incubation programme that includes mentorship, technical support and connections to ecosystem partners. The goal is to help founders refine their products, strengthen their business models and scale in a sustainable way.
A Focus on Real World Learning Conditions
CcHUB notes that much of Africa’s edtech growth has been built around stable environments with reliable Internet access, predictable school calendars and families able to pay for digital tools. However, millions of learners across the continent operate outside these conditions. In many communities, connectivity is limited and schools are under resourced.
This cohort is therefore prioritising startups that can work within these constraints. The programme is looking for solutions that are built for complex environments and designed with local realities in mind. It is also seeking startups that are developing education data systems aligned with real school workflows to support better decision making.
Speaking about the new cohort, Nissi Madu, Managing Partner at CcHUB, said the fellowship is moving beyond ideas to measurable results. “Cohort 4 reflects our commitment to supporting solutions designed for learners who are too often underserved by mainstream innovation. This means building for real-world environments where infrastructure may be limited and implementation requires contextual understanding.”
Her remarks underline the programme’s direction. The focus is not only on innovation but on solutions that can work effectively in challenging settings and deliver clear outcomes for learners.
Strengthening Nigeria’s EdTech Ecosystem
Applications for the fellowship close on March 30, 2026. Eligible Nigerian edtech startups can apply through the programme’s website. By providing both funding and long term support, the initiative aims to strengthen Nigeria’s education technology ecosystem and encourage founders to build for inclusion from the start.
Founded in 2010 as Nigeria’s first innovation centre, Co-creation Hub has grown into one of Africa’s leading technology hubs, with operations in Lagos, Kigali, Nairobi and Windhoek. Over the years, it has played a key role in shaping conversations around technology and social impact across the continent.
