Deadline: 2-Feb-2026
The SheAscends is a women-focused accelerator in Lagos, Nigeria, designed to support growth-stage entrepreneurs in unlocking financial access, strengthening investment readiness, and scaling impact-driven businesses.
The program focuses on mentorship from industry experts, practical training workshops (both virtual and in-person), access to growth capital, community building among women entrepreneurs, visibility and storytelling opportunities, impact measurement with gender-lens integration, and ecosystem opportunities through strategic partnerships and collaborations with investors, development agencies, and corporates.
SheAscends is open to early and mid-growth stage businesses with proven revenue, specifically those generating a minimum of ₦6,000,000 annually. Applicants must be women-led or women-forward in ownership, leadership, or customer focus, and be aged 30–45 years. Businesses across all sectors—including food, retail, fashion, beauty, services, agriculture, and more—are eligible, provided they are for-profit and tech-enabled, or traditional businesses with a strong digital edge.
The program follows a structured pathway: businesses apply by sharing their revenue, business model, and growth vision; selected businesses join workshops and mentorship sessions; qualified businesses receive growth capital; and participants scale their ventures with enhanced capability, capital, and network support.
Selected participants receive one-on-one guidance from experienced industry professionals, helping them with operations, finance, and growth strategies tailored to their businesses. Training workshops cover critical areas such as financial management, pricing, operations, and scaling strategies, ensuring founders gain the capability and confidence needed to grow. Qualified participants can access up to ₦1,000,000 per business to invest in equipment, inventory, or other growth initiatives. The program fosters a strong community, enabling women entrepreneurs to share challenges, learn together, and build long-lasting relationships. Participants also benefit from visibility through media showcases and case studies, and receive training on integrating gender KPIs and designing inclusive products to scale gender-equitable innovation. Strategic partnerships and facilitation of collaborations with development agencies, investors, and corporates provide further opportunities for growth and ecosystem integration.
For more information, visit SheAscends.
