The Founder Institute, the world’s largest entrepreneur training and startup launch programme, has announced that it is exploring a new semester launch in Lagos.

Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 cities and 50 countries, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 1,550 companies – including fast-rising startups across 6 continents like Udemy, Realty Mogul, iCarsClub, Itembase, goplaceit, Appota, and many more. The company’s mission is to “Globalize Silicon Valley” and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.

The Founder Institute is a part-time, four-month program where promising entrepreneurs can “learn by doing” and launch a company through structured training courses and expert feedback from business mentors. Plus, you are not required to quit your day job to participate, so you can begin building a business around your ideas without putting your livelihood at risk.

In order to test demand for a 2015 program, the Founder Institute will host several free startup events:

Making the Leap from Employee to Entrepreneur
2015-08-01, 06:30 PM
Startup Founder 101
2015-08-08, 04:00 PM
Founder Institute Information Session
2015-08-15, 04:00 PM

Leading the Founder Institute’s efforts in Lagos are Dayo Adefila (Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Hotsauce Ltd); Joseph Iruafemi (Business/Lead Developer, Websphere Solutions); and Olusegun Olukoya (Assistant Vice President, Nextzon Business Sevices).
Other successful entrepreneurs who have pledged their support to mentor founders in a Lagos Founder Institute program include:

Bankole Alonge: Solicitor, Akinla Alonge Akpomiemie & Akintomide LLP
Chuka Ofili: Co-Founder, Delivery Science
Demola Aladekomo: Group Managing Directo, CHAMS PLC
Marek Zmyslowski: MD, Jovago.com
Mark Essien: Founder, Hotels.ng
Mayowa Owolabi: Co-Founder, Mobile Monday Nigeria
Morakinyo Animasaun: CEO, Netplus Limited
Nwachukwu Onyeaso: CEO, Push and Start Crowdfunding Platform
Olalekan Olude: Co-Founder and SVP, Jobberman.com
Raphael Afaedor: CEO, Supermart.ng
Tomi Davies: Co-Founder and President, African Business Angels Network (ABAN)
Tunde Owoeye: CEO, Phoster Solutions Limited