The UBS Female Founder Award 2026 is a global recognition programme for women founders leading early-stage technology startups in fintech and enterprise technology. Organised by UBS, the award highlights innovative businesses, strong leadership and growth potential, and offers selected founders cash recognition, mentorship, investor access and participation in a year-long business support programme.
Program Overview
• Award name: UBS Female Founder Award 2026
• Organiser: UBS
• Programme type: Annual global recognition programme for women entrepreneurs in the technology sector; the 2026 edition is the sixth year
• Eligible sectors: Early-stage startups in financial technology (fintech) and enterprise technology
• Purpose: Highlight women-led businesses with scalable models, investment potential, innovation, strong leadership and growth potential
• Core opportunities: International recognition, investor connections, mentorship and business growth support
• Overall winner prize: US$10,000
• Additional recognition: Rising Star award for another founder
• Finalist programme: Project Female Founder, a year-long investor readiness, networking and mentorship programme
• Broader access: Finalists can connect with UBS advisers, experienced entrepreneurs, venture capital firms and other members of the global business community
• Application deadline: October 25, 2026
Who Can Apply
• Target applicant: Women founders leading early-stage technology businesses in fintech or enterprise technology
• Female founder leadership: You must be a woman founder of the business
• Technology focus: Your startup must operate in fintech or enterprise technology
• Innovation: Your business should offer a distinct solution to a market problem
• Growth potential: You should have a scalable business model with room to expand
• Leadership: You should demonstrate the ability to lead the company and execute its plans
• Business performance: Your application should explain the company’s financial track record and potential for future growth
• Official rules: Applicants should consult the full eligibility requirements before submitting; the programme is global, but specific rules may apply depending on the applicant’s location
Eligible Business Categories
• Financial Technology (Fintech): Startups using technology to improve financial services and products, including digital payments, financial infrastructure, digital banking, financial data tools and other technology-driven financial solutions
• Enterprise Technology: Technology solutions that help businesses improve operations, productivity, infrastructure or decision-making, including enterprise software, data analytics, artificial intelligence applications and business technology platforms
• Business case requirement: Applicants should show how their solutions address a clear business need and how the company can grow its customer base or market reach
Awards and Benefits
• US$10,000 Cash Prize: The overall winner will receive US$10,000 to support her entrepreneurial journey, and UBS will also recognise a Rising Star through a special award
• Project Female Founder: All finalists will have the opportunity to join a year-long programme designed to strengthen investor readiness and expand professional networks
• Mentorship and Investor Access: Finalists can receive mentoring from UBS advisers and gain access to female-focused venture capital firms, investors and experienced entrepreneurs
• Global Visibility: The award provides opportunities for publicity, speaking engagements and international recognition, helping founders introduce their businesses to potential investors, partners and new markets
• Business Growth Support: Through Project Female Founder, participants can work on investor readiness and pitching, connect with other entrepreneurs, and access a wider support network, including the Coralus network through partners
Selection Criteria
• Diversity: The contribution the founder and business bring to the technology ecosystem
• Financial track record: The company’s financial performance and business progress
• Growth potential: The ability to scale the business and attract investment
• Leadership: The founder’s leadership capabilities and vision for the company
• Application focus: Applicants should present a clear account of their business model, the problem it solves, its progress so far, and its plans for growth
How to Apply
• Submission method: Apply through the official UBS Female Founder Award website
• Preparation: Review the official rules and prepare information that clearly explains your startup, its technology, business performance, leadership and growth plans
• Application platform: Accessible through the official UBS award page
• Application deadline: October 25, 2026
Key Details
• Award: UBS Female Founder Award 2026
• Organiser: UBS
• Eligible applicants: Women founders of early-stage technology startups
• Eligible sectors: Fintech and enterprise technology
• Geographic scope: Global, subject to official eligibility rules
• Main cash prize: US$10,000
• Additional recognition: Rising Star award
• Other benefits: Mentorship, investor readiness, networking and global visibility
• Application deadline: October 25, 2026
The UBS Female Founder Award 2026 provides a global platform for early-stage women-led technology businesses to gain visibility, strengthen investor readiness and access mentorship. Interested founders should review the official eligibility rules and submit an application through the official UBS award page by October 25, 2026.