Entries open for BRICS Women’s Startups Contest

Organised by SEBRAE under Brazil’s BRICS Presidency, the contest highlights innovative, high-impact startups led by women, fostering economic integration and global collaboration.

As Brazil takes the lead in 2025, this edition builds on the success of its inaugural launch, offering a platform for visibility, networking, and business expansion within the BRICS ecosystem.

Objectives

• Foster Sustainable Development
• Promote Economic Inclusion
• Strengthen Integration Among BRICS Markets
• Support Innovation in Key Sectors
• Build Entrepreneurial Resilience
• Highlight Women-Led Solutions for Global Challenges
• Enhance Collaboration Between BRICS Nations
• Raise Awareness of Sustainable Business Practices
• Promote Technological Adoption and Digital Transformation
• Strengthen Local Economies Through Global Connections

Categories

• Healthcare and Wellbeing
• Agriculture and Food Security
• Education and Skills Development
• Energy, Infrastructure, and Mobility
• Commerce, Service, and Digital
• Transformation
• Sustainable Development and Climate Solutions

Business Stage

• Startups will compete in three different development stages:
  • Early-stage
    • Startups in the MVP or prototype phase.
      • These businesses are focused on validating their concepts, identifying market needs, and establishing a foundation for future growth.
  • Growth
    • Startups with an established product or service that has achieved initial customer engagement or market acceptance, focused on expanding their operations and refining their models.
  • Scale-up
    • Mature startups that have achieved significant growth and are expanding into new markets, demonstrating strong operational performance and scalability.

Awards

• Trip to Rio de Janeiro (1-8 July 2025)
• 18 Finalists will join an exclusive Technical Mission:
  • Visits to top innovation hubs & businesses
  • Networking with investors & industry leaders
  • BRICS Business Forum & Award Ceremony

Eligibility Criteria

• Residency & Market Presence
  • Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE) or BRICS partner countries (Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan).
  • Alternatively, they must operate primarily within BRICS markets or have a clear expansion plan into these regions.
• Female Leadership Role
  • Must hold a key leadership position (Founder, Co-Founder, or equivalent).
  • Must play an active role in the startup’s operations & strategy.
  • Multidisciplinary teams with diverse expertise are encouraged.
• Innovation & Scalability
  • Must be an innovation-driven startup addressing significant challenges.
  • Should have a strong technological foundation, leveraging AI, Blockchain, IoT, or advanced tech.
  • Deep-tech ventures based on cutting-edge scientific research are encouraged.
  • Must demonstrate growth potential and scalability within and beyond BRICS markets.

For more information, visit BRICS WBA.