London meets Lagos in the new wave of entrepreneurship. That’s the message behind LSET Arena and its incubation ecosystem, which is rapidly positioning itself as a launchpad for innovators from Africa and beyond.
When entrepreneurs like Koye and Nadine use artificial intelligence to solve everyday business challenges, they represent a generation unwilling to wait for perfect conditions. As LSET founder Mayur Ramgir put it: “Our goal isn’t just to write a cheque. We want to walk the journey with these entrepreneurs, helping them build sustainable products and strong global businesses.”
Beyond the Traditional Incubator
At the heart of LSET Arena is the LSET Incubator, a structured accelerator that goes far beyond funding. Startups gain access to technical labs, mentorship, creative marketing support through MRF Films, and — most importantly — long‑term exposure to global venture networks. For companies like FirstFlowAI, this means not just refining products but building businesses ready for international scale.
Opening Doors Across Borders
Recognizing that talent should not be limited by geography, LSET has partnered with a leading immigration firm to help founders secure visas such as the UK Global Talent Visa and Innovator Founder Visa. This initiative makes it possible for entrepreneurs from Nigeria and other African countries to relocate, establish, and grow their ventures in London — one of the world’s most dynamic startup hubs.
“We want London to be the launchpad for global founders, and that includes Africa’s brightest innovators,” an LSET spokesperson explained.
The Innovation Lab: Training for the Spotlight
Following the success of its debut episode, LSET has opened applications for its Innovation Lab, a training programme that prepares participants for potential appearances on LSET Arena. The Lab offers hands‑on experience in AI tools, investor pitching, and prototyping, with standout participants shortlisted to present their ideas to a global audience.
Applications are open worldwide, but Nigerian innovators are being actively encouraged to apply. “Africa is on the cusp of a startup revolution,” an LSET representative said. “We want Nigerian entrepreneurs at the heart of this movement.”
Where Storytelling Meets Enterprise
What sets LSET Arena apart is its fusion of education and cinematic storytelling. Produced by MRF Films, the show captures not only the technical brilliance of participants but also their personal journeys — the struggles, breakthroughs, and triumphs that make innovation relatable.
Ramgir believes this approach changes how audiences perceive entrepreneurship: “When people see innovation as entertainment, it changes their relationship with it. We want viewers, especially young Africans, to see that entrepreneurship isn’t limited to Silicon Valley — it can start in Lagos, Nairobi, or Accra and go global.”
Nigeria’s Rising Role
The timing couldn’t be better. Nigeria has already proven itself a regional powerhouse, producing fintech unicorns, AI startups, and creative enterprises that are reshaping industries. LSET’s open call to African innovators complements Nigeria’s national push to expand its digital economy and empower youth entrepreneurship.
Experts argue that partnerships between institutions like LSET and African universities or startup hubs could provide the missing international exposure and investor access that many local startups need.
Looking Ahead
With its first success story already making headlines, LSET and MRF Films are preparing bigger seasons of LSET Arena — with larger investments, new challenge themes, and expanded African participation. Plans are underway to stream the show across Africa, giving Nigerian audiences a front‑row seat to the global startup process and offering local founders a stage to shine.
For startups like FirstFlowAI, this marks the beginning of a global journey. For countless young innovators across Nigeria and Africa, LSET Arena signals something even greater: an open invitation to take their ideas to the world stage, where education meets opportunity and vision becomes enterprise.
