The Standard Chartered Foundation’s Women in Tech Accelerator 2026 is now open for applications, targeting women-led startups building innovative, tech-driven solutions.
- The Standard Chartered Foundation’s Women in Tech Accelerator 2026 is now open for applications, targeting women-led startups building innovative, tech-driven...
- The programme, backed by ecosystem players such as Village Capital and innovation hubs, aims to strengthen female entrepreneurship and expand...
- The initiative focuses on early-stage companies across Africa, particularly those addressing real-world challenges through technology.
- The funding is designed to help founders grow their ventures, improve products, and expand into new markets. Beyond funding, the Women...
Keep reading for the full breakdown on African tech — everything you need to know is covered below.
The programme, backed by ecosystem players such as Village Capital and innovation hubs, aims to strengthen female entrepreneurship and expand access to funding and networks.
Applications opened in March 2026 and are expected to close later in the month, with selected startups joining the next cohort shortly after. The initiative focuses on early-stage companies across Africa, particularly those addressing real-world challenges through technology.
What the Women in Tech Accelerator offers
The programme offers funding, mentorship, and business support to scale tech-enabled ventures.
The Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator 2026 provides up to $10,000 in non-equity funding to selected startups. The funding is designed to help founders grow their ventures, improve products, and expand into new markets.
Beyond funding, the Women in Tech Accelerator delivers structured training covering product development, financial planning, and go-to-market strategies. Participants also receive mentorship from industry experts and access to a network of founders, investors, and partners.
Organisers describe the programme as offering “up to $10,000 in non-equity funding to help grow your tech venture, strengthen your product, or expand your reach.”
The Women in Tech Accelerator also includes workshops, coaching sessions, and peer learning opportunities designed to improve business models and prepare startups for investment readiness.
Who can apply
The Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator 2026 is open to women founders or co-founders of tech-enabled startups operating in Africa. Eligible applicants must have a working product, pilot, or clear path to traction, along with a strong commitment to scaling their businesses.
The Women in Tech Accelerator encourages applications from startups across sectors such as fintech, healthtech, edtech, agritech, and digital services. Founders must demonstrate innovation, market potential, and the ability to address pressing economic or social challenges.
The programme is part of broader efforts to address funding gaps affecting women entrepreneurs. According to organisers, it is designed to empower founders with tools, networks, and resources needed to build sustainable businesses and create jobs.
How to apply
To apply for the Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator 2026, interested applicants must complete an online application through the official programme portal before the stated deadline.
The selection process involves screening applications, evaluating business potential, and onboarding successful candidates into the accelerator cohort.
The Women in Tech Accelerator runs as part of the Foundation’s broader push to support inclusive innovation, with participating startups gaining access to mentorship, funding, and global exposure within the tech ecosystem.