Web3Bridge Moves From Developer Training to Startups

Web3Bridge, a blockchain training organisation based in Lagos, has closed its flagship developer training operation after almost seven years and is moving towards a founder-focused model.

The organisation announced the decision on September 29 through X, questioning whether training more developers is enough to support Africa's growing Web3 ecosystem. Web3Bridge said the market has changed, with projects shutting down, companies changing direction and some international firms reducing their African operations.

From Developer Training to Company Building

Founded in 2019 by Ayodeji Awosika, Web3Bridge became known for its intensive 16-week blockchain developer programme. The academy provided free accommodation, meals, internet access and technical training covering blockchain development and smart contract auditing.

Participants trained six days a week for five hours a day. Running the physical campus came with significant costs, particularly because of Nigeria's unreliable electricity supply. Awosika previously said Web3Bridge spent tens of thousands of dollars on inverter systems and diesel generators to keep the programme running.

Over the years, the academy produced developers who went on to participate in international hackathons and take engineering roles with global blockchain projects.

Web3Bridge Launches Founders Residency

The organisation is now introducing the Web3Bridge Founders Residency, aimed at helping African entrepreneurs turn early ideas and products into scalable businesses.

The programme will focus on areas such as market validation, product-market fit, team building, fundraising, sales, distribution and business scaling. Web3Bridge wants to give founders access to mentors, investors, operators, technical talent and experienced company builders without requiring them to leave Africa.

The organisation says the residency will not operate as another short bootcamp or weekend hackathon. Instead, it is designed as a longer-term environment for building companies.

The Next Challenge for Africa's Web3 Ecosystem

Web3Bridge's move comes as the organisation argues that Africa now has a growing pool of blockchain developers, but fewer sustainable companies capable of employing and retaining that talent.

Its leadership sees company building as the next challenge. Developers can create products, but businesses also need founders who understand customers, revenue, fundraising, distribution and the operational side of building a company.

Existing Web2 and Web3 developer cohorts will continue, according to Web3Bridge, while the new founder programme develops alongside them. Details on eligibility and applications are expected through the organisation's official channels.

The change gives Web3Bridge a new role in Africa's blockchain ecosystem: moving beyond producing technical talent to helping turn that talent into companies capable of attracting investment, creating jobs and operating at scale.