The Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator is a program delivered in partnership with Village Capital to support impact-driven, tech-enabled, women-led startups across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan. The accelerator equips founders with the skills, funding, and networks needed to build scalable and sustainable businesses. Village Capital supports program delivery by providing investment-readiness training, mentorship frameworks, and ecosystem-building support through local implementing partners, ensuring founders receive tailored, high-quality support in each market.
Program Highlights and Impact
• Initial Impact: In its early cohorts, the program distributed over USD 550K in grants to women-led startups.
• Recent Cohort Outcomes: Participating startups have collectively expanded customer reach, created jobs, and increased revenues across participating markets.
• 2026 Grant Distribution: More than USD 600K in grants will be distributed across 12 markets: Bahrain, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, Uganda, and Zambia.
• Funding Note: In some markets, including Saudi Arabia and South Africa, funding is provided by local Standard Chartered Bank entities rather than the Foundation.
Eligibility Criteria
• Target Applicants: Women founders leading impact-driven, tech-enabled startups.
• Geographic Focus: Startups must be operating in one of the following countries: Bahrain, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, Uganda, or Zambia.
Benefits for Participating Startups
• Peer Connections: Access to a global network of mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners.
• Funding: Opportunity to receive grant funding, with over USD 600K distributed annually across participating markets.
• Growth: Tailored support and personalized development plans for each startup.
• Training: Investment-readiness training focused on refining business models and scaling strategies.
Application Process
• How to Apply: Applications are managed through local implementing partners in each country. Applicants should visit their respective country partner’s website for details and submission.
• Local Partner Example: Organizations such as Innovate for Bahrain support local implementation and application management in specific markets.
The Women in Tech Accelerator 2026 is a valuable opportunity for women-led, tech-enabled startups seeking funding, training, and strategic support to scale their impact. Through collaboration between Standard Chartered Foundation, Village Capital, and local partners, the program provides founders with market-specific resources and access to broader networks across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan. Eligible entrepreneurs should review their local partner’s application process to explore participation in the program.