Skystone Finance is selecting 20 Nigerian SMEs for a hands-on bootcamp delivered with FATE Foundation. Each selected business receives a ₦2,500,000 grant to put what it learns into action.
Applications close Friday, 23rd October 2026. It’s free to apply.
20
businesses selected for the first cohort
₦2,500,000
grant for each selected business
5 days
of practical, in-person training
Free
to apply, with no fees at any stage
Small businesses keep Nigeria’s markets moving. Yet many stall for the same reasons: records a lender can’t read, plans that live only in the owner’s head, and little access to capital on fair terms.
As a finance company built around MSME lending, Skystone sees these barriers every day. The Skystone SME Bootcamp is our way of closing the gap. We train business owners in the habits that make a business fundable and well run, then give them capital to act on what they’ve learned.
The bootcamp is part of Skystone’s corporate social responsibility commitment. It is not a loan product, and there is nothing to repay.
Dominate and own the SME banking space.
Provide superior options. Provide creative solutions. Deliver exceptional services
Every application is scored against the same criteria by trained reviewers. Who you know plays no part.
Training that fits the realities of running a Nigerian SME, followed by funding to grow.
₦2,500,000
A grant for every selected business, to invest in the growth plan you build during the bootcamp.
Get clear on what you sell, who buys it and how you win against competitors.
Keep proper records, read your numbers and manage cash flow with confidence.
Prepare the documents and track record that lenders and investors look for.
Reach more of the right customers and turn them into repeat buyers.
Cut waste, organise your team and make day-to-day work run smoothly.
Use simple digital tools for payments, sales, stock and bookkeeping.
Stay on the right side of CAC, tax and the rules that apply to your sector.
Use AI tools to improve productivity, create marketing content, serve customers, and make smarter business decisions.
Sessions are delivered by FATE Foundation, with over two decades of experience supporting Nigerian entrepreneurs.
Learn alongside 19 other business owners facing the same challenges, and leave with a network you can call on.
Finish the bootcamp with a practical plan for your business and a budget for how the grant will be used.
The bootcamp is for owner-managed businesses that are already trading and ready to grow. You can apply if:
A clear, fair process from application to final cohort. We’ll email you at every stage.
1
Complete the application form on this page before the closing date.
2
We confirm that your business meets the entry requirements.
3
Two trained reviewers score your application independently.
4
Shortlisted applicants join a 15 to 20 minute video interview.
5
20 businesses and a reserve list are chosen and notified by email.
We score what you show us, not how polished your writing is. Spelling and grammar won’t count against you.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 15 October 2026 |
| Applications close | 23 October 2026, 11:59 pm |
| Shortlisted applicants contacted | 30 October 2026 |
| Virtual interviews | 2 – 3 November 2026 |
| Final selection announced | 5 November 2026 |
| Bootcamp begins | 9 November 2026 |
Six short sections. Answer honestly and in your own words. Required fields are marked with an asterisk.
No. Applying, interviewing and attending the bootcamp are all free. Skystone and its partners will never ask you to pay a fee to be selected. If anyone does, please report it to us.
No. It is a grant and does not need to be repaid. Selected businesses will be asked to agree how the grant will be used and to report on how it was spent.
The grant is linked to completing the bootcamp. Full details, including the disbursement schedule and any conditions, will be shared with selected businesses before the bootcamp begins.
No. Each person and each business may apply once. Duplicate applications are flagged and may be removed.
No. The bootcamp is open to all eligible Nigerian businesses, whether or not they are customer of Skystone.
A short 15 to 20 minute video call with a small panel. We’ll talk through your application, your plans and how you’d use what you learn. You’ll need a phone or computer with a stable internet connection.
Yes. Every applicant will receive an email letting them know the outcome. Strong applicants who are not selected may be placed on a reserve list.
Your data is used only to run the selection process and onboard selected businesses. It is shared with FATE Foundation for that purpose and handled in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
Get in your inbox the latest News and Offers from Us
Skystone Finance Company Limited is a Central Bank of Nigeria–regulated, forward-thinking financial services provider dedicated to delivering comprehensive financial intermediation and advisory services that unlock market potential and foster sustainable growth.
Copyright © 2026 Skystone Finance. All Rights Reserved.
Error: Contact form not found.
Skystone Finance Company Limited is a Central Bank of Nigeria–regulated, forward-thinking financial services provider dedicated to delivering comprehensive financial intermediation and advisory services that unlock market potential and foster sustainable growth.
Read More
