Women in Tech Accelerator 2026: Funding for Women-Led Startups

Over USD 600,000 in grant funding is shared across markets each year. This cash helps startups scale up and reach more people. You must lead a tech-enabled startup that creates impact. Your business s

The Standard Chartered Foundation Women In Tech Accelerator 2026 is now accepting applications from women founders of tech-enabled startups across Africa, the Middle East and Pakistan, offering more than USD 600,000 in grant funding shared across markets each year. The programme, delivered by Village Capital with local partners, targets women-led ventures using technology to generate social or environmental impact in countries including Bahrain, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, Uganda and Zambia. Applications are open now and deadlines vary by market.

"Over USD 600,000 in grant funding is shared across markets each year," the programme description states, emphasizing cash support designed to help startups scale without immediately giving up equity.

Program details and support on offer

The Standard Chartered Foundation Women In Tech Accelerator 2026 aims to prepare early-stage women-led startups for investor readiness through a combination of grant funding, tailored training and local mentoring. Village Capital partners with organisations in each country to deliver in-market support — local partners provide guidance, training and tools tailored to regional needs and help manage country-specific applications.

  • Core benefits: peer connections, grant funding, personalised growth plans and investor training.
  • Funding model: grants are distributed across participating markets annually, enabling startups to scale operations and reach more users without taking on immediate equity dilution.
  • Investment readiness: workshops and one-on-one coaching focus on business model refinement, pitch preparation and growth strategy.

Programme materials highlight the practical, founder-level assistance on offer: "This accelerator equips women leaders with skills, cash, and networks."

Country partners and how to apply

Local organisations are the entry point for applicants in each market. The source lists specific partners for several countries:

  • Botswana — The Dream Factory (apply through The Dream Factory)
  • Ghana — Ghana Climate Innovation Center (GCIC)
  • Nigeria — Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) running the Standard Chartered Foundation Women In Tech Accelerator
  • South Africa — WomHub
  • Uganda — Innovation Village
  • Zambia — BongoHive

Applicants in Bahrain, Egypt, Kenya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are advised to consult Village Capital’s programme page and the local partner listings for full application details and country-specific eligibility requirements. The programme requires that the founder be a woman and that the venture be tech-enabled and impact-driven, operating within one of the listed countries.

Outlook

With an annual pool of more than USD 600,000 in grants and a network of local partners, the Women In Tech Accelerator 2026 aims to move women-led startups closer to investor readiness while preserving early-stage ownership. Founders seeking growth capital, investor preparation and localised mentorship are encouraged to begin their applications through their country’s partner site and the Village Capital programme page as deadlines differ by market.