What is The Assembly?

The Assembly is an impact-first creative hub and consultancy dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and creatives from Africa and its diaspora to succeed in the global fashion industry. At the heart of our mission is a commitment to women, community engagement, championing unheard voices, and creatively nurturing young creatives.

What Exactly is The Creative Class?

The Creative Class is our flagship incubator programme empowering early-stage startups in Africa’s fashion and creative arts sector with the knowledge and resources to build sustainable businesses. This edition will experiment with our model by introducing innovative approaches to enhance learning and collaboration.

Who can apply for The Creative Class?

The programme is open to entrepreneurs in the fashion, design, and creative arts sectors. Applicants should be between the ages of 21 and 40, based in Nigeria or actively serving a Nigerian market. Preference is given to businesses with a clear social or environmental impact.

I have just an Idea, will my application be considered?

No! We are targeting early to mid-stage businesses who need help in building their creative enterprises (minimum 1 year in operations).

What will I learn in the programme?

Our aim is to equip you with an understanding of your own ability to drive change, the fashion industry and business landscape at large, and a holistic systems thinking mindset to promote solutions that will benefit both people and the planet. The programme will cover various topics, including Finance & Funding, Business Management, Content Creation, Personal Development and Regenerative and Circular Practices

Can I apply with more than one company?

No, only one application and entry per person is allowed.

What kind of ideas/businesses are you looking for?

We’re specifically seeking businesses in these key areas: sustainable materials and processes, responsible production, mindful consumption, and innovative solutions that align with the programme’s goals—even those we hadn’t anticipated. You could be working in fields like manufacturing, textile design, apparel design, material development, marketing, journalism, community organizing, and more.

Can I enter with a business that I have already entered in another programme?

Yes, you can enter with a business that you’ve previously submitted to another programme. However, you must ensure that you own all rights associated with the business.

How many participants will ultimately be enrolled in the programme?

25 participants will be onboarded unto the programme.

Will the ENTR and NXT pathways be included in this year’s programme?

This year’s edition of The Creative Class is focused on amplifying sustainable, regenerative, and impactful business models that directly address current industry and environmental challenges. As a result, we’re pausing the ENTR and NXT pathways this year to streamline resources and create an in-depth experience that benefits those who align with this year’s theme.

Based on what criteria will you select those who access the fund pot?

Selection for access to the fund pot will be based on several key criteria. This includes each participant's commitment and full engagement in the programme, their stage in the innovation journey, alignment with our core focus areas, their ability to adopt systems-change thinking, and their demonstrated commitment, capacity, and initiative to tackle real-world challenges.

What do you get if you access the Creative Class: Regen fund? 

As the fund is still in its early stages, we are unable to provide exact amounts at this time. However, last year, we successfully supported seven brands with a total of ₦4,000,000. Additionally, participants got post-programme support through our network at The Assembly, which included free mentorship, business consultations, invitations to industry events, and access to production hubs.

Is there a fee to participate in the Creative Class?

The programme is free, however there is an enrolment If your application is successful, you will need to pay an enrolment fee of NGN50,000

When does the programme start?

The programme is scheduled to start on January 20th 2025 and will run for 8 weeks till March 14th 2025.

Is this a fully virtual programme?

No, the programme will be hybrid. There will be a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. All participants must be able to attend the in-person sessions in Lagos Nigeria. 

How are participants selected?

We will engage a reference group of experts, primarily from The Assembly team and Creative Class Advisory, who are actively involved in the fashion, business, and design industries.

Will I receive funding as a participant?

While participation does not guarantee funding, the programme offers a collective grant pot for financial support.

How can the selected participants use the grant, are there any restrictions?

The grant is intended to support the growth and development of each winner’s idea or related work. How it’s used is entirely up to the selected participants, they know their innovations best and understand their unique needs. Some may choose to use the funds to develop materials in a lab, others may invest in equipment or marketing, and in some cases, the grant might go toward hiring staff.

How can I apply for The Creative Class?

To apply for The Creative Class, you can visit the programme website here.

You can download a PDF version of the application form questions here to help you prepare before starting the online application process.

How do you follow up on how the grant is used?

We follow up on grant usage through several approaches. Selected participants join The Assembly’s community membership network, where we maintain close contact and monitor their progress. We also request that participants report on how the grant is being utilized—initially upon being awarded the grant and at key points later on.

I don’t live in Nigeria, can I attend the Creative Class from my country?

Unfortunately, you cannot attend if you are not in Nigeria, as most of the programme will require your physical presence.

I’m not a fashion designer, can I still participate?

Sure! The Creative Class is for entrepreneurs and professionals from Tech, Textile, Design, Fashion, Accessory, Jewelry, sectors. 

What’s the Programme duration?

The entire programme is 8 weeks. 

Will I receive a certificate upon completion?

Yes, participants who complete the programme requirements will receive a certificate of completion from The Assembly.

Who can I contact for more information?

For additional questions, please reach out to our programme team at events@theassemblyhub.com or call Seun at +234-812-711-9852.

The challenges within the fashion system are intricate, interconnected, and constantly evolving. Driving meaningful change is difficult, with no one-size-fits-all solution or clear path to follow. For innovators operating in fast-paced environments, it can be tough to balance creating transformative impact while also ensuring their business flourishes.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for innovators working on initiatives which tackle inequalities and extractive values in the fashion system  with the following characteristics to join this programme:

Willingness to learn and the openness to be challenged 

Change making goes beyond understanding the current system’s challenges and opportunities; it’s about cultivating a mindset and building the skills needed to shape the future we envision. This involves a willingness to reflect inwardly, examining our own cultural practices, biases, and assumptions, while also looking outward to understand behaviours within the broader society.

Commitment and Resilience

Genuine passion for wanting to bring about change through your solution be it product or service. Empathy towards the problem you are trying to solve and resilience in the face of success and failure. 

Innovative Capacity 

You are visionary and bold, with a clear sense of what the present and future could become. Your aspirations might not resonate with everyone around you, yet you stay true to them. You don’t just hold an idea—you’ve taken real steps to bring it to life. Naturally collaborative, you value relationships, and you are resourceful, adaptable, empathetic, and endlessly curious.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be the Founder and Owner of the business

• Business must be registered with the ​​Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)

• You should either have a genuine interest in developing your business idea further or must be actively operating a business entity or creative practice for at least 1 year.

• Must demonstrate elements of regenerative and circular business models and practices. 

• Must demonstrate the potential to create value that delivers social, economic and environmental benefits - create jobs, be profitable, and contribute to protecting the planet.

• Must be able to attend the in-person components of the programme happening in Lagos, Nigeria.

• Must be available to participate fully for the entire duration of the programme.

• Must be a Wema Bank account owner or consent to open a Wema Bank account upon enrolment.

CONFIRMATION

If your application is approved, you will be notified via email and following this you:

Must pay the applicable fee below before the application deadline, 30th November 2024

• Application Fee: ₦50,000