The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has commenced the grand finale of the inaugural South East Venture Capital Programme (SEVCP), aimed at institutionalising access to growth capital for high-potential businesses across the South East region. The programme, which began earlier in 2026, seeks to address the funding gap for startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region.
According to the SEDC, the SEVCP will provide selected businesses with equity investments ranging from ₦5 million to ₦50 million, along with mentorship and business development support. The commission stated that the programme is part of its broader mandate to drive economic development in the South East, which includes states like Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
The grand finale event, held on May 26, 2026, in Enugu, featured pitches from 20 finalists chosen from over 500 applicants. Winners are expected to be announced within the week, with funding disbursed in phases based on milestone achievements.