Application Guidelines for Events

Sponsorship
Updated: December 2017

Introduction

This document sets out the process and guidelines for applying for Events Sponsorship from the Lagos State
Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) under Lagos Innovates. These Application Guidelines should be read in
conjunction with information provided on the Lagos Innovates website, including Frequently Asked Questions
about the Events Sponsorship program. Please read this information carefully before you fill out your
application.

Lagos Innovates offers co-sponsorship for events and activities that are aimed at supporting network-building,
knowledge-sharing, collaboration and marketing for Lagos-based founders and startups. We understand that
these ecosystem-building initiatives are important for value-creation within the Lagos tech ecosystem, and
believe that they are an important way to propagate specific tech- or innovation-focused entrepreneurial
learning and development.

Organisers of high-quality, ideally smaller-format events and activities (e.g. workshops, pitch events, fireside
chats, hackathons, etc.) are invited to apply for support for their event production costs, in exchange for co-
branding rights by Lagos Innovates.

Program Overview

Lagos Innovates has dedicated a quarterly budget to co-sponsorship of events led by Lagos ecosystem
participants and is looking to sponsor at least one event per quarter.

You can apply for up to N5 million of co-sponsorship per event. Lagos Innovates will expect to brand each event
it co-sponsors.

Our preference is to sponsor smaller format, high-value adding events. This is in addition to Lagos Innovates’
own events that are delivered by the team on a regular rhythm.

The objectives of the Events Sponsorship program are to:

 Support community-building initiatives, important for ecosystem development in the medium to long
term.
 Encourage a collaborative learning-focused culture in the Lagos startup community.

Eligibility

Each application will need to be submitted by an Event Promoter. This can be an individual or a
company/organization. To be eligible for Events Sponsorship, the Event Promoter must:
a. Be a Lagos State resident or a Lagos State headquartered company.
b. Be tax compliant with the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS).
c. Be proposing an event that will primarily benefit Lagos-based founders and startups.

You will need to provide contact details for the Event Promoter and evidence of the Event Promoter’s eligibility.
As part of the online application process, you will be asked to upload the following identification and
compliance information in PDF format:

1) Valid, government-issued photo ID.

2) e-TCC card.
3) LASRRA card.

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 4) CAC certificate (if the Event Promoter is a company/organisation).

Note that:

 Acceptable government-issued ID may be in the form of a national ID card, international passport

or driver’s licence.
 For information on tax matters and e-TCC cards, please visit the LIRS website.
 For information on proof of Lagos State residency and LASRRA cards, please visit the LASRRA
website.
 For information on CAC registration and certificates, please visit the CAC website.

How to Apply

Applications for Events Sponsorship are always open. You can submit an application at any time through the
Lagos Innovates website. Your event should be a minimum of two months away and no more than 12 months
away from the date of submission.
To apply, you must:
a. Create a user account via the Lagos Innovates website and complete the online application form for
Events Sponsorship. You can save your application and complete it gradually over time. You will need
your BVN.
b. Submit your application. You are advised to ensure that all required answers are completed as fully as
possible, but you will need to be clear and concise.
The application form will ask you to answer detailed questions on:
 Your Event.
 Your Request.
Under the ‘Your Event’ section of the application form, you will be asked to describe the event (including
format, your target audience and expected number of attendees, event goals and anticipated impact, event
marketing/publicity strategy, speakers/moderators, etc.).
Under the ‘Your Request’ section of the application form, you will be asked to specify your sponsorship request
(including your estimated event production cost, proposed Lagos Innovates sponsorship amount, sponsorship
benefits to Lagos Innovates, etc.).
You should provide as full a set of responses as possible.

You can apply for up to N5 million of co-sponsorship per event. Lagos Innovates will expect to brand each event
it co-sponsors.

Evaluation Process and Timing

Applications will be evaluated by an Administrator from the Lagos Innovates team. Depending on the size of
the requested sponsorship amount, you will be contacted within four to six weeks with an in-principle decision.
Neither LSETF nor Lagos Innovates makes any commitment to sponsoring any event until the evaluation is
complete and you have been notified of a decision to do so in writing. You should not run any marketing or
publicity campaigns using Lagos Innovates’ or LSETF’s brand name and/or logo without explicit permission.

Enquiries

Please make sure that the reason for your enquiry is not already addressed in these Application Guidelines or
on the Lagos Innovates website before contacting us. Enquiries about issues already addressed herein or on the
website will not be responded to.
Kindly direct all enquiries about the Events Sponsorship application process to enquiries@lagosinnovates.ng.
You are responsible for making sure your application is complete and accurate. Giving false or misleading
information is a serious offence. Please read the law governing LSETF here.

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Good luck with your application!