GETGP 5th Edition to Empower SMEs With N13m Grant

The Centre for Research in Enterprise and Action in Management (CREM) has announced the call for applications for the 5th edition of the Grooming Endowment Trust Grant Programme (GETGP), under which 15 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will share N13 million in grants.

The programme, also referred to as GET Compass, is designed to provide equity-free, non-repayable funding and business development support to early-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs.

For the 2026 edition, 15 finalists will emerge from a shortlist of 100 entrepreneurs selected from thousands of applications received over the past four years.

The total cash prize pool of N13 million will be distributed such that five winners receive N2 million each, while the remaining 10 finalists will receive N300,000 each.

Chike Ugwu, Chief Operations Associate of GET Compass, said more than 60 beneficiaries have received a total of N50.5 million in grants over the last year, and over 24,000 applications have been received across the first four editions.

He said the primary objective of the grant programme is to provide financial assistance and relevant skills to business owners to scale up and navigate the business environment.

To qualify, applicants must:

- Be at least 18 years old.  

- Run a business registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).  

- Have been in operation for a maximum of three years.  

- Show current operations of the business, including daily sales reports, records of monthly sales and monthly profit-and-loss statements.  

- Be willing to attend a mandatory two-week intensive workshop in Lagos.  

- Operate in sectors such as health, education, humanitarian work, enterprise and community development, or social entrepreneurship.  

Interested entrepreneurs can apply through the official GET event portal at https://getgrantprogram.groomingendowment.org/compassEvents.

The deadline for applications is August 20, 2026.

From the applicant pool, 100 entrepreneurs will be shortlisted, after which 15 finalists will be selected to compete for the grants.

The winners are expected to be formally announced and presented with their cheques at a special event in Lagos on October 30, 2026.

Over the last year, 60 SMEs have benefited from the GET Compass scheme, receiving a total of N50.5 million in direct, non-repayable grant assistance.

In addition to cash grants, beneficiaries receive mentorship, training and long-term support aimed at improving business performance, financial management and growth prospects.

The programme is positioned as a startup-friendly, equity-free funding option for Nigerian entrepreneurs seeking capital to expand operations, invest in equipment or working capital, and strengthen their business models without taking on debt or diluting ownership.