{
  "id": 2409613,
  "title": "KOICA and SMEDAN Launch ‘ACE Startup Academy 2026’ After Drawing 3,856 Applicants",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/koica-and-smedan-launch-ace-startup-academy-2026-after-drawing-3-856",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T16:19:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/koica-and-smedan-launch-ace-startup-academy-2026-after-drawing-3856-applicants/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have launched the ACE Startup Academy 2026 with the Founder Training programme in Abuja on 24 August. A total of 3,856 Nigerians applied for the program, which will select approximately 120 participants across 50 teams. Professor Gee Hyun Hwang, Project Manager, highlighted the high interest in entrepreneurship and digital technology among Nigerian youth. The four-week Founder Training program will focus on business model development and the practical application of artificial intelligence, incorporating project-based learning and hands-on exercises. Teams completing the training will compete in a Pitch Competition in October, with ten teams receiving a total prize pool of USD 15,000 and further support through a Business Incubation program of around six months. The program aims to strengthen Nigerian entrepreneurs' capabilities and build a sustainable startup ecosystem.",
  "summary": "The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) will commence the Founder Training programme of the ACE Startup Academy 2026 in Abuja on 24 August. The programme attracted strong nationwide interest, drawing a total of 3,856 applicants from across Nigeria. Following a fair and systematic selection […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}