Entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in driving a country’s economic growth. When effectively harnessed, it can promote financial independence, foster community development, and enhance citizens’ overall quality of life.

The Hive Incubator is a dynamic startup incubator based in Akure, Nigeria. It is committed to empowering entrepreneurs with the tools, guidance, and community needed to build sustainable businesses. Positioned in a region often overlooked by mainstream startup activity, The Hive redefines what it means to grow a business from the grassroots.

Unlike conventional incubators, The Hive offers more than just space; it provides a holistic support system. Entrepreneurs benefit from access to co-working spaces, experienced professionals, tailored mentorship, investor networks, and collaborative opportunities with fellow startups. This practical, hands-on approach helps founders turn ideas into viable ventures.

The Hive Incubator has successfully run two cohorts, supporting nine entrepreneurs across various sectors. Each cohort is guided through a structured incubation program designed to tackle the challenges faced by African founders, including limited access to capital, market entry barriers, and a lack of entrepreneurial training. 

The Incubator’s Model

The Hive runs a structured and rigorous selection and nurturing process through a six-month incubation program, divided into two distinct phases. The first three months focus on equipping entrepreneurs with the foundational knowledge to build and scale a sustainable business.

Following this intensive learning period, startups transition into a three-month implementation phase centered on practical application. This stage goes beyond theory; entrepreneurs receive hands-on mentorship and are expected to share weekly updates on their progress, challenges, and the support they require.

In exchange for this support, The Hive takes a 10% equity stake in each participating business, aligning its success with that of the founders. Startups also receive seed funding of approximately ₦3 million ($2,100). While relatively modest, this capital significantly boosts idea-stage ventures and opens the door to follow-on investments of up to ₦10 million for startups demonstrating strong potential.

Success Stories

The path to entrepreneurial success is far from one-size-fits-all. Entrepreneurs come from diverse backgrounds, with unique experiences and perspectives shaping their ventures. There’s no single recipe for success, but a journey defined by growth, grit, and innovation. Here are the success stories from all the startups in our recently concluded Cohort 2.

– iBoss Food

Problem Solved:
iBOSS FOOD brings consistency, flavor, and professionalism to Nigeria’s grilled food space, addressing the issues of poor hygiene, subpar taste, and unprofessional service that many customers experience during personal and event catering.

How The Hive Helped:
The program helped the founder build a brand rooted in trust, quality, and intentional leadership. They transitioned from operating based on instinct to leading with strategy and consistency, learning to manage challenges with clarity and accountability.

Current Impact:
iBOSS FOOD is now known for delivering clean, well-packaged suya, kebabs, barbecue, and local drinks like zobo and palm wine. The founder has embraced the mindset of a true entrepreneur, laying the groundwork for scale and customer loyalty.

– Nio Agro 

Problem Solved:
NiO Agro addresses the problem of expensive and low-quality agricultural products through animal husbandry and vegetable farming (olericulture), making nutritious food more accessible and affordable.

How The Hive Helped:
With academic training in agriculture, the founder was passionate but lacked structured business acumen. The Hive provided the tools to create a viable enterprise, helping them understand business fundamentals and scale effectively.

Current Impact:
NiO Agro is actively reducing food insecurity and raising agricultural production standards. The founder reports greater focus, discipline, and commitment, with the business now contributing to local nutrition and employment.

– AVS Integrated Farms

Problem Solved:
AVS addresses Nigeria’s growing poultry supply deficit by raising chickens and enhancing local meat production.

How The Hive Helped:
The founder, driven by a passion for sustainability, leveraged the program’s hands-on training to refine their operations and business strategy. The Hive’s structured learning and mentorship helped transition the business from an informal venture to a scalable enterprise.

Current Impact:
AVS Integrated Farms is meeting poultry demand while strengthening local food systems. The founder has become more confident and capable due to improved knowledge of supply chain management, marketing, and financial planning.

– YesBeauty

Problem Solved:
Salon and spa businesses often struggle with manual operations. YesBeauty addresses this by providing digital booking tools, inventory management, and customer management, thereby introducing structure and efficiency to the beauty industry.

How The Hive Helped:
Through the program, the founder evolved from a self-employed individual to a business owner with a strategic mindset. They gained clarity on product development, customer needs, and go-to-market strategies.

Current Impact:
YesBeauty now equips salons and spas with modern tools to streamline operations and deliver better customer experiences. The founder credits The Hive for helping them build a business with real systems and structure. 

– Farmhaus

Problem Solved:
Farmhaus offers innovative solutions to challenges within agricultural production and the supply chain, ranging from inefficiencies in post-harvest handling to a lack of traceability and tech adoption.

How The Hive Helped:
The Hive supported the founder in turning an idea into a structured business. By exposing them to real-world business scenarios, mentorship, and market analysis, the program helped them sharpen their offering and identify the most pressing needs within the agri-supply space.

Current Impact:
Farmhaus is now positioned as a problem-solver in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, providing tech-backed solutions that increase efficiency, reduce waste, and improve market access. The founder has grown into a solution-oriented entrepreneur with the confidence to scale.

Testimonials from Entrepreneurs

iBOSS FOOD
“The Hive played a crucial role in shaping the structure and strategy of iBOSS FOOD. Through their mentorship, workshops, and community support, I was able to refine my business idea, validate my product with real feedback, and build systems for operations, customer experience, and marketing.”

“Before joining The Hive, one of my biggest challenges was being consistent and intentional with my business. I had passion and ideas, but I lacked the structure to show up daily, stay focused, and move with purpose. It often felt like I was just reacting to things instead of building something with a clear direction.”

AVs Integrated Farms
“The Hive helped me shift from being busy to being intentional. Through their sessions, I learned how to set clear goals, create actionable plans, and stay consistent even when things got overwhelming. The community also kept me accountable, which made it easier to show up, stay motivated, and build momentum.”

“They also provided a space to connect with other entrepreneurs, stay accountable, and receive practical guidance that helped me move from just having a vision to launching with clarity and confidence. The Hive made the journey less lonely and a lot more intentional.”

Final Thoughts

The Hive is redefining what entrepreneurship looks like in Africa, not from the top down, but from the ground up. By focusing on everyday entrepreneurs in markets, street corners, and small neighborhoods, The Hive is shifting the narrative. Rather than waiting for talent to migrate to major cities, The Hive invests in people where they are, proving that powerful ideas can emerge from anywhere. 

Its grassroots approach is unlocking opportunities for those traditionally overlooked by mainstream incubators, empowering entrepreneurs in agri-business, local services, food production, and beyond.