International Breweries Kickstart 2025 celebrates a decade of empowering young Nigerian entrepreneurs through training, funding, and mentorship

International Breweries Kickstart 2025 marks a powerful milestone in youth empowerment as the company prepares to celebrate a decade of nurturing Nigeria’s brightest entrepreneurs.

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International Breweries Plc has announced the forthcoming Kickstart 2025 Awards Ceremony, following the successful completion of its bootcamp training for more than 400 young business innovators.

The initiative, part of AB InBev’s global social investment agenda, has become a flagship platform for entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, the brewer said the 2025 edition — themed “Sustain. Scale. Succeed: Building the Future of Nigerian Entrepreneurs” — embodies its long-term commitment to inclusive growth and economic transformation.

The grand finale, scheduled for 17 November 2025, will reward outstanding entrepreneurs who excelled during the competitive PitchFest with grants to launch or scale their ventures.

This year, 476 shortlisted applicants received intensive online training facilitated by the Enterprise Development Centre, covering core business subjects such as marketing management, financial planning, customer service, and operations strategy.

The programme also embraced inclusivity by featuring People with Disabilities, reflecting Kickstart’s commitment to equal opportunity and sustainable innovation.

From that pool, 124 participants advanced to a hybrid bootcamp held across Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Rivers, and Anambra states.

The sessions deepened their skills in business model innovation, digital marketing, and sustainability practices before culminating in the PitchFest, where entrepreneurs showcased creative business ideas before a panel of judges.

Managing Director of International Breweries Plc, Carlos Coutiño, described the initiative as a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s youth. He said, “The Kickstart journey continues to prove that our young people are catalysts of inclusive growth.

The 10th anniversary is not just a celebration of winners; it’s a celebration of resilience, innovation, and the indomitable spirit of Nigerian enterprise.”

Similarly, Dr Peter Bamkole, Chairman of the International Breweries Foundation Advisory Board, said this year’s theme perfectly captures the project’s enduring legacy.

He noted, “For ten years, Kickstart has shown that when we sustain a vision and empower entrepreneurs to succeed, we build more than businesses — we build the nation’s future.”

Corporate Affairs and Regulatory Director, Temitope Oguntokun, highlighted Kickstart’s holistic approach that extends beyond training and grants.

“We don’t just fund entrepreneurs; we journey with them. Through mentorship and our Alumni Network, beneficiaries gain access to continuous learning and business support,” she said passionately.

The Kickstart 2025 Awards Ceremony will feature Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, as keynote speaker, bringing further inspiration to the young visionaries being honoured.

Over the past decade, Kickstart has trained more than 3,000 aspiring entrepreneurs, disbursed ₦800 million in business grants, and created nearly 1,000 jobs across 30 states.

The initiative supports ventures in agriculture, retail, circular packaging, technology, and renewable energy. Remarkably, 80 per cent of Kickstart-supported businesses remain active — a testament to its strong sustainability and measurable impact.

Also read: International Breweries Posts 88% Revenue Surge Amid Economic Headwinds

With International Breweries Kickstart 2025, the company continues to inspire the next generation of business leaders, demonstrating that empowerment, when sustained, truly transforms lives.