Target Region: Egypt (hybrid in-person and online participation)
Funding Pool: Up to $35,000 USD in collective equity-free grant funding for top 3 Demo Day winners
Program Duration: 12 structured training modules, tailored mentorship, and a live Demo Day
Application Status: Open (Rolling selection for the 2026 cohort)
Female-led tech startups across North Africa are continuously transforming local economies, yet access to capital, mentorship, and growth networks remains a challenge for many founders. To address this gap, the Standard Chartered Foundation has partnered with global venture platform Village Capital and Egyptian entrepreneurship hub Entlaq Holding to launch the Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator Program – Egypt 2026. This milestone initiative is designed to help female founders scale their businesses, refine their business models, and secure grant funding.
Equity-Free Grants and Global Mentorship
The primary goal of the Women in Tech Accelerator Egypt 2026 is to break down structural barriers for female tech entrepreneurs. Participants gain access to a powerful combination of financial support, global networking, and strategic business development resources.
Key program benefits include:
$35,000 Equity-Free Grant Pool: The top three startups selected during the program’s final Demo Day will receive a combined total of up to $35,000 USD in non-dilutive grant funding from the Standard Chartered Foundation.
Global & Local Investor Networks: Founders gain direct connections to the international networks of Standard Chartered, Village Capital, and local Egyptian venture networks.
Expert Advisory: Direct 1-on-1 support covering essential operational pillars, including financial strategy, product-market fit, market expansion, and impactful corporate governance.
Startup Eligibility Requirements for Egyptian Tech Entrepreneurs
The program is specifically structured to support early-stage, scalable enterprises that use technology to solve pressing economic, social, or environmental challenges in Egypt. To qualify for the cohort, applicant startups must meet the following criteria:
Gender-Diverse Leadership: The founding team must include at least one active female co-founder holding a key executive decision-making role.
Operating Stage: Must be an early-stage venture (Seed or Pre-Series A) that has been operational for at least one year with a functional Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Scalability & Innovation: Demonstrate a tech-enabled, innovative solution with high market growth potential and measurable sustainable impact.
Geographic Location: Must be legally registered and actively operating in Egypt, with founding team members available to attend both online workshops and in-person events in Cairo.
How to Submit Your Application
Selected cohort participants will undergo 12 intensive, hands-on training sessions led by industry experts and veteran investors. The curriculum focuses on business strategy, pitch readiness, scaling operations, and long-term financial stability, culminating in an investor pitch presentation on Demo Day.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to prepare their pitch decks, financial summaries, and team details prior to submitting their forms online. Submissions are processed on a rolling basis for the 2026 program cycle.
Complete Startup Profile: Provide details regarding your core technology, team composition, female leadership share, operational track record, and MVP performance.
Submit Supporting Documents: Upload your latest pitch deck, business registration documents, and product demo links.
By bringing together non-dilutive capital, expert mentorship, and investor access, the Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator – Egypt 2026 provides Egyptian female entrepreneurs with the tools needed to build sustainable, scalable tech companies.
