The FCMB-FMO AgriTech Investment Readiness Programme is a genuine, structured initiative by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO), delivered with Heave Ventures, offering up to ₦20 million in grant funding to Nigerian agritech startups and SMEs. Confirmed directly on FCMB’s own official press release page, the original 2025 cycle closed on 12 September 2025. A subsequent cohort ran through FCMB’s own Zimara platform for 2026, with applications closing 31 July 2026 — also now closed.
About the FCMB-FMO AgriTech Investment Readiness Programme
Launched in August 2025, this initiative exists to identify, support, and prepare Nigeria’s most promising agritech startups and SMEs for genuine investment — not just award funding outright, but build the operational and governance capacity investors actually look for. Heave Ventures CEO Abiodun Lawal described the broader goal directly at launch: scaling agribusiness innovation has the potential to revitalise entire value chains, from production through processing and export, creating jobs and positioning Africa as a genuine supplier in global food and agricultural technology, not just a consumer.
The programme runs as a structured six-week bootcamp, combining capital planning, investment readiness training, and a proprietary Zimara Fundability Scorecard — a platform using alternative data and established readiness benchmarks to identify genuinely bankable ventures. It culminates in an Investor and Bank Demo Day, where participants pitch directly to funders, development finance institutions, and strategic partners.
Confirmed on FCMB’s own Zimara platform page, a subsequent cohort ran for 2026 under the same core structure — same ₦20 million grant pool, same Zimara Fundability Scorecard mechanic, same core partnership. Separately, a related initiative called the FCMB Agritech Hackathon and Venture Building Program 2026 has also surfaced, now including the European Union as an additional partner. Whether this represents a rebranding of the same programme or a genuinely separate, parallel initiative isn’t entirely clear from public information — confirm directly with FCMB which specific programme is currently open before applying.
FCMB-FMO AgriTech Investment Readiness Programme Summary
| Programme Name ⇒ | FCMB-FMO AgriTech Investment Readiness Programme |
| Host Country ⇒ | Nigeria |
| Host ⇒ | First City Monument Bank (FCMB), in partnership with FMO and Heave Ventures |
| Category ⇒ | Competitions | Training |
| Eligibility ⇒ | Registered Nigerian agritech startups and SMEs |
| Reward ⇒ | Up to ₦20 million grant pool, mentorship, investor access, business advisory |
| Application Status ⇒ | Both the 2025 and 2026 cycles have closed. FCMB’s Zimara platform and official channels are the best place to confirm the next opportunity. |
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a registered startup or SME operating in Nigeria
- Have a clear, demonstrated focus on agriculture or agritech
- Be at the growth or scale-up stage, with real early traction and genuine potential for expansion
- Have strong leadership, including at least one founder dedicated full-time to the business
- Demonstrate genuine readiness for investment, not just an early-stage concept
What the Programme Offers
- Non-dilutive grant funding, shared across the strongest ventures at Demo Day, from a pool of up to ₦20 million
- A structured six-week Investment Readiness Bootcamp
- FCMB Business Banking Support, with financial tools tailored to growing agritech businesses
- A Zimara Fundability Scorecard, giving founders a genuine, structured view of how investors and banks actually assess their business
- Expert advisory from venture capitalists, bankers, and established agribusiness leaders
- Strategic introductions to offtakers, buyers, accelerators, and investors
- Media visibility through FCMB and Heave Ventures’ own platforms
- Continued post-programme support for funding and business development
Required Documents
- A completed application form
- A business plan or pitch deck
- Company registration documents (CAC)
- Financial statements, or records demonstrating business performance where formal statements aren’t yet available
- Proof of identity (valid national ID, international passport, or driver’s licence)
- Any supporting documents that strengthen your application — recommendation letters, awards, or relevant certifications
How to Apply, When the Next Cohort Opens
- Check FCMB’s official website and the Zimara platform directly for the current live application, since this programme’s exact naming and structure have evolved across cycles
- Confirm whether the current opportunity is the standard Investment Readiness track or the newer Hackathon and Venture Building format, since eligibility details may differ slightly
- Prepare your business plan or pitch deck, CAC registration, and financial records well in advance
- Complete the online application form with accurate, detailed information about your business
- Upload all required documents and review your full application carefully before submitting
- If shortlisted, you’ll be contacted directly for the next stage — the six-week bootcamp and eventual Demo Day pitch
If you’re preparing a pitch deck or business plan for a programme like this, our guide on how to write a personal statement for scholarship covers the same underlying storytelling discipline, even though this is a business grant rather than an academic scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the FCMB-FMO AgriTech Investment Readiness Programme currently accepting applications?
No. The original 2025 cycle closed 12 September 2025, and a subsequent 2026 cohort through FCMB’s Zimara platform closed 31 July 2026. Check FCMB’s official channels directly for the next open cycle.
Is this a recurring programme, or a one-time initiative?
It’s genuinely recurring — confirmed cycles have run in both 2025 and 2026, with a related “Hackathon and Venture Building” format also appearing, now involving the European Union as an additional partner.
What does the ₦20 million grant actually fund?
It’s a non-dilutive grant pool shared among the strongest ventures presenting at the programme’s Demo Day, rather than a guaranteed fixed amount for every accepted participant.
Do I need existing revenue or traction to apply?
Yes, generally. The programme is built for startups and SMEs at the growth or scale-up stage with real early traction, not concept-stage ideas with no operating history.
Is the FCMB-FMO AgriTech Investment Readiness Program the same as the Zimara programme?
They appear closely related — the 2026 cohort ran through FCMB’s Zimara platform using the same core grant pool and Fundability Scorecard mechanic as the original programme, though confirm the exact current relationship directly with FCMB.
Disclaimer: All programme details were verified directly against FCMB’s official press release and Zimara platform pages as of August 2026. Both known cycles have closed, and the programme’s exact current structure and naming appear to be evolving — always confirm the current live opportunity directly at fcmb.com or the Zimara platform before applying.
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