Bayelsa Medical University, in conjunction with Century Group
BMU Healthcare Innovation Challenge · Annual programme
From a healthcare problem you've noticed to a venture that solves it.
The Annual Bayelsa Medical University Healthcare Innovation Programme runs for 16 weeks. Participants learn together, form teams, gather evidence for their ventures, and the strongest go on to an eight-week accelerator.
Applications open now · Closing Friday 20 November 2026 at 23:59 Africa/Lagos
₦10 million in total prizes for the three winning teams
Programme staff sign inApply Now → Create your account (or sign in) → Complete the five-step application.
You don't need a business idea to apply.
Applications close Friday 20 November 2026 at 23:59 Africa/Lagos. Training runs 23 to 27 November. Admission offers may be issued by the Technical Lead at any time, including before applications close. Check your participant dashboard for your status.
- weeks, end to end
- 16
- weeks, end to end
- confirmed training places
- 80
- confirmed training places
- bootcamp finalists
- 6
- bootcamp finalists
- accelerator ventures
- 3
- accelerator ventures
Healthcare innovation from within Bayelsa.
Clinicians, students and staff see unmet needs every day. This programme gives them a shared method, a team, mentors and a fair path to turn those observations into ventures that can be tested, funded and sustained.
The annual challenge is open to students, lecturers and staff across the BMU community.
Prizes for winning teams
₦10 million in total prizes
The three accelerator winners share ₦10,000,000. Prizes are awarded to winning teams, not paid to each team member individually.
1st Place
₦5,000,000
For the winning team
2nd Place
₦3,000,000
For the winning team
3rd Place
₦2,000,000
For the winning team
Prize support is released in milestones, subject to the programme's onboarding and funding conditions.
APPLY NOWHow it works
The seven stages
- 1
Before
Apply
A five-step application open to every BMU student and staff category. You can apply without an idea. We look at your commitment, not how well you write.
- 2
Admission
Confirm your place
80 confirmed places and up to ten on the waitlist. New 2026 offers stay open for exactly 48 hours, including weekends and public holidays; confirmed participants join one of ten learning groups.
- 3
Entry week
Learn together
An opening Venture Proof Gates session, then five days of teaching. Each day starts with the gates it serves, ends with a quiz, a reflection and a group output.
- 4
Modules 1 to 4
Venture challenge
Training completers form teams of two to five and apply each day's learning across four mentored modules, building evidence week by week.
- 5
Selection
Six finalists
Every portfolio is reviewed automatically against published criteria, with cited reasons and a route to correct or challenge the outcome.
- 6
Bootcamp
Build, test, present
Six finalist teams sharpen their ventures; three winners advance. Panellists can ask questions, but the evidence decides the outcome.
- 7
8 weeks
Accelerator
Winning ventures receive mentoring and milestone reviews. Funding release is separately authorised by the Finance Officer.
Venture Proof Gates
Nine gates, scored out of 27
Every venture is measured against the same nine ordered gates, each scored from 0 to 3. The gates frame every training day, every module and every selection decision.
- 01
Problem
- 02
Customer
- 03
Product / Solution
- 04
Market & Competitive
- 05
Founder & Team
- 06
Economic
- 07
Operating
- 08
Risk
- 09
Capital Readiness
Entry week
Learn in groups of eight.
Ten learning groups rotate daily roles and share one group template. To complete training, you'll attend at least four of five days, pass five daily quizzes (8/10, unlimited attempts), write five reflections, contribute to your group and give a final practical presentation.
- OpeningVenture Proof Gates
- Day 1Foundations and healthcare opportunities
- Day 2Discovery and validation
- Day 3Solution and business model
- Day 4Funding readiness
- Day 5Pitch and practical VPG walkthrough
What we stand for
Open to everyone at BMU
Students and staff of every category are considered on one common standard. No idea yet is never a penalty.
Evidence first
Progress is judged by what you can show, such as verified sources and tested assumptions, not by writing style.
Fair and traceable
Every decision records its reasons, and mistakes can be corrected.
Mentors who coach
Mentors guide teams. Panellists may ask questions. Selection follows the published rules.
Ready to apply?
Create your account and start your application. Your draft saves as you type.