International Breweries Plc has announced the forthcoming Kickstart 2025 Awards Ceremony following the successful completion of bootcamp training for over 400 young entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
The company, a member of AB InBev, said this year’s edition marks ten years of empowering youth and nurturing emerging business leaders through its flagship entrepreneurship development programme.
The ceremony, themed “Sustain. Scale. Succeed: Building the Future of Nigerian Entrepreneurs,” will conclude the 2025 journey that began with 476 shortlisted applicants undergoing intensive online training facilitated by the Enterprise Development Centre. The sessions covered vital business areas, including customer service, marketing management, financial management, leadership, operations management, and business planning.
Emphasising inclusivity, this year’s edition also accommodated People with Disabilities, reflecting Kickstart’s commitment to equal opportunity and inclusive innovation. From this pool, 124 promising entrepreneurs advanced to the hybrid bootcamp held across Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Rivers, and Anambra states. The training further strengthened participants’ knowledge of business model innovation, sustainability, digital marketing, and pitch preparation.
The bootcamp culminated in the PitchFest, where participants presented their business ideas before a panel of judges, paving the way for the upcoming Awards Ceremony on November 17, 2025.
A company representative said, “The Kickstart journey continues to demonstrate that our youth are the catalysts of inclusive growth. The 10th anniversary Awards Ceremony is not just a celebration of winners; it’s a celebration of resilience, innovation, and the spirit of Nigerian enterprise.”
Chairman of the Advisory Board of International Breweries Foundation, Dr Peter Bamkole, described the theme as a reflection of the programme’s legacy and vision for the future. “For ten years, Kickstart has proven that when we sustain a vision, scale opportunities, and empower entrepreneurs to succeed, we build more than businesses, we build the future of our nation,” he said.
Corporate Affairs and Regulatory Director at International Breweries Plc, Temitope Oguntokun, highlighted Kickstart’s long-term support model. “We don’t just train or fund entrepreneurs; we walk with them on their journey. Through the Kickstart-appointed mentors and Alumni Network, beneficiaries continue to access mentorship, business development resources, and peer learning opportunities,” she said.
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is expected to deliver the keynote address at the event.
Over the past decade, Kickstart has trained over 3,000 aspiring entrepreneurs, disbursed N800 million in grants to 470 small business owners, and created around 1,000 direct and indirect jobs across more than 30 states. The initiative has supported MSMEs in agriculture, retail, circular packaging, technology, and renewable energy, strengthening innovation and resilience within Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem.
An impact assessment revealed that 80 per cent of supported businesses remain active, underscoring Kickstart’s strong focus on sustainability and measurable results.
The Awards Ceremony will honour outstanding young entrepreneurs who excelled during the PitchFest, awarding them funding to launch or expand their ventures.
Reflecting on the milestone, Managing Director of International Breweries Plc, Carlos Coutiño, reaffirmed the company’s belief in the power of youth entrepreneurship to redefine Nigeria’s economic future.
