Entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of sustainable economic development, fueling innovation, job creation, and community upliftment. In Akure, Nigeria, The Hive Incubator is championing this cause from the ground up—empowering emerging entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and capital needed to turn ideas into thriving businesses.
A Different Kind of Incubator
Unlike traditional incubators clustered in major cities, The Hive is rewriting the script by anchoring its operations in Akure, a region often overlooked by the broader startup ecosystem. But this isn’t just about location—it’s about democratizing access to entrepreneurship support.
What sets The Hive apart?
-
Six-month structured incubation program
-
Access to co-working space and investor networks
-
Mentorship from seasoned business professionals
-
₦3 million ($2,100) seed funding and up to ₦10 million in follow-on investment
-
10% equity structure ensuring shared success
With two cohorts already completed, The Hive has supported nine ventures spanning agribusiness, food, technology, and beauty.
A Two-Phase Growth Model
The incubation journey is intentionally split into two phases:
-
Foundational Phase (3 months): Entrepreneurs learn core business strategies—finance, market entry, product development, and leadership.
-
Implementation Phase (3 months): Founders apply their learnings, receive practical mentorship, and provide weekly progress updates to foster accountability.
This approach ensures that participants don’t just ideate; they build, launch, and scale.
Stories of Impact: Startups from Cohort 2
iBOSS FOOD
Problem: Inconsistent quality and hygiene in grilled food catering
Impact: Built a trusted, scalable suya and barbecue brand
Hive’s Role: Instilled operational clarity, marketing strategy, and leadership development
“I had the passion but lacked structure. The Hive helped me show up consistently and lead with purpose.”
NiO Agro
Problem: High food prices and poor-quality produce
Impact: Increasing access to affordable, nutritious food through animal and crop farming
Hive’s Role: Transformed agricultural training into a viable business with discipline and focus
AVS Integrated Farms
Problem: Poultry supply shortages
Impact: Scaling sustainable chicken production and supporting food security
Hive’s Role: Provided tools for financial planning, marketing, and efficient supply chain management
“The Hive helped me move from being busy to being intentional.”
YesBeauty
Problem: Manual operations in salons and spas
Impact: Developed a tech solution for digital booking, inventory, and customer management
Hive’s Role: Enabled transition from self-employment to structured enterprise ownership
Farmhaus
Problem: Post-harvest losses and inefficiencies in agri-supply chains
Impact: Delivers tech-driven agricultural logistics and traceability solutions
Hive’s Role: Guided the founder from concept to execution with mentorship and strategic clarity
Transforming Entrepreneurs, One Story at a Time
Across these businesses, the Hive has helped founders transition from hustlers to builders—people who now operate with strategy, consistency, and systems in place.
As one founder put it:
“Before The Hive, I was reacting to challenges. Now I lead my business with vision and structure.”
A Broader Mission: Empowering Local Potential
What makes The Hive truly revolutionary is its grassroots-first model. By investing in talent where it exists—in towns, communities, and non-urban centers—it’s challenging the idea that innovation is confined to cities like Lagos or Abuja.
Through agriculture, local services, food, and tech, The Hive is proving that big impact starts small, and that everyday entrepreneurs can build Africa’s future.
Conclusion:
The Hive Incubator is not just growing startups; it’s growing a movement. A movement of local resilience, digital empowerment, and sustainable impact—one entrepreneur, one idea, and one community at a time.
