Chocolate City opens $1 million fund for creative startups

Chocolate City is putting $1 million into startups working in Africa’s creative industries. The Nigerian entertainment company has opened applications for the first cohort of its Founders Fund Africa Creative Economy Accelerator, with 10 startups set to receive between $20,000 and $50,000 each. Applications close on 28 August 2026. The programme is aimed at businesses working in music, film, design and creative technology.

The fund is for startups

Chocolate City is not using the money to fund artists or individual music and film projects. It is looking for startups building businesses around the creative industry. That could include companies developing technology for musicians, film businesses, design platforms or other products used by creative professionals. The first cohort will have 10 startups. Along with the funding, the selected companies will get business support, mentorship and access to investors and industry contacts.

Chocolate City is one of Nigeria’s better-known entertainment companies and has spent more than two decades working in music. The company has worked with artists, released music and built businesses around the entertainment industry. The new fund takes it into another part of the market, the startups selling products and services to that industry. The $1 million fund was launched with Argentil Capital Management, while Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) is running the accelerator.

What the money could mean for founders

The funding will range from $20,000 to $50,000 per company. For a new startup, that can cover some of the costs involved in building a product, hiring people or getting the first customers. The programme also gives founders access to people working in music, film and other creative businesses. That could help startups that have built a product but are still trying to find customers in the industry. The accelerator will also help founders prepare for future investment.

Applications close on 28 August

The first cohort will only have 10 startups, with applications closing later this month. For Chocolate City, the fund creates another business around an industry it already knows well. For founders, the pitch is fairly simple: up to $50,000 in funding and access to people working across Africa’s creative industries. The first group of companies will show whether that combination can help creative startups get off the ground.