Deadline Date: April 20, 2026
Women-led businesses continue to face a widening funding gap, estimated at $1.9 trillion in 2026, and this initiative aims to support their growth through equity-free funding.
The program focuses on supporting established, technology-driven businesses solving real-world problems, enabling women founders to scale their ventures, strengthening global financial inclusion, and unlocking untapped economic potential across regions including Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, the UK, and the US.
UpGreyed Her is an initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs by providing financial support without requiring equity in return. This year, the program offers a total of $10,000 in grants to three selected founders, with the first-place winner receiving $5,000, while the first and second runner-ups will receive $3,000 and $2,000 respectively. The initiative reflects a broader commitment to nurturing innovation and supporting women-led enterprises across diverse global markets.
The program specifically targets businesses that are already established and have demonstrated operational stability for at least three years. It is aimed at founders who are ready to move into their next phase of growth, particularly those leveraging technology to address practical challenges. To be eligible, the business must be founded by a woman or have a female co-founder holding at least 50% ownership, and applicants must be between the ages of 23 and 40 while being citizens or residents of eligible regions.
Grey, a US-based fintech company backed by Y Combinator, is behind this initiative and is focused on building inclusive global banking infrastructure for individuals and businesses in emerging markets. Through UpGreyed Her, the organization seeks to go beyond financial support by fostering long-term growth and sustainability for women entrepreneurs worldwide.
For more information, visit Grey.
