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Terms & Conditions

FCMB x FMO x Heave Ventures AgriTech Program 2026

1. Program Overview

The FCMB x FMO x Heave Ventures AgriTech Program 2026 is an operational-excellence and pitch competition for Agritech ventures/businesses, culminating in a Demo Day in Lagos and ₦20,000,000 in business grants shared among the successful participants. By applying, applicants agree to these terms.

2. Who Can Apply

  • Must be a registered, operating AgriTech venture within the agricultural value chain in Nigeria (with minimum CAC-registration status).
  • Must have an active, revenue-generating or pilot-stage business at the time of application.
  • One application per business; founders or representatives must be 18 years or older.
  • Employees, board members, and immediate family of FCMB, FMO, and Heave Ventures Group are not eligible to apply.
  • Applicants must be able to attend program activities in English and commit the time required to complete the course and implementation phase.

3. Application & Participation Requirements

  • Apply via the official program page on Zimara.org before the stated application deadline.
  • Complete the Baseline Survey and the 3-week Operational Excellence course in full.
  • Implement course learnings in the business over the following month and submit evidence of business impact, plus the Endline Survey, by the stated deadlines.
  • Attendance at expert-led open rooms during the implementation month is optional but strongly encouraged.
  • Applicants who do not complete a required stage by its deadline may be withdrawn from the program at Heave Ventures' discretion.

4. Selection for Demo Day

  • Submission of a final pitch deck and pitch video upon completion of the operational excellence assessment is the ONLY criterion used to select the Top 6 startups who will pitch live at Demo Day.
  • The selection of the eventual top 6 ventures will subsequently be based on the following criteria as reflected in the pitch deck/video:
    • Proof of business growth (35%)
    • Proof of operational excellence (35%)
    • Funding utilization plan (15%)
    • Pitch clarity and communication (15%)
  • At the demo day, the ranking of the top six (6) startups will be based on the following:
    • Innovation & Differentiation (25%)
    • Market Size & Scalability Potential (25%)
    • Operational Excellence & Execution Discipline (20%)
    • Founder Ambition & Capability (15%)
    • Pitch and Q&A Performance (15%)
  • The decision of the review panel on Top 6 selection is final.
  • Selected startups will have flights and hotel accommodation provided to attend Demo Day in Lagos.

5. Business Grants & Successful Participants

  • The ₦20,000,000 business grants will be shared among the successful participants selected at Demo Day.
  • Disbursement is subject to satisfactory completion of all program requirements and any post-selection verification FCMB, FMO, or Heave Ventures may require.
  • The amounts payable to successful participants will be as follows:
    • 1st Position: ₦8 million
    • 2nd Position: ₦4 million
    • 3rd Position: ₦3 million
    • 4th Position: ₦2 million
    • 5th & 6th Position: ₦1.5 million each
  • All grant prize(s) awarded shall be exclusively disbursed into an active FCMB account held in the name of the participating venture.

6. Program Changes

  • Program dates — including the date the Operational Excellence course opens — may shift. Any change will be communicated to all applicants in advance.
  • FCMB, FMO, and Heave Ventures reserve the right to amend these terms, the program schedule, or the format of any stage at their discretion.

7. Data, Communications & IP

  • Applicants consent to receive program-related emails at each stage of the journey, including reminders if a stage is incomplete.
  • Business and survey data provided by applicants in their pitch deck/video may be considered, where relevant to the scoring criteria, as part of the program's evaluation and finalist selection process.
  • Applicants retain ownership of their business IP; participation does not transfer any equity or IP to the program partners.
  • Applicants also retain the right to withdraw from the program at any time and unsubscribe from any promotional channels (emails or calls) relating to the program.

8. General

  • Participation is voluntary and may be withdrawn by the applicant at any time by notifying the program team.
  • These terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
  • For questions, contact the program team via the support channel listed on Zimara.org.