Deadline Date: May 10, 2026
The Standard Chartered Foundation 8th Edition Women Entrepreneurs Programme is an initiative designed to support early-stage women-led startups in scaling innovative and impactful businesses in the United Arab Emirates.
The focus areas, objectives, priorities, and themes of the programme include supporting women entrepreneurs in growing and scaling their businesses, building strong connections within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing access to expert mentorship, unlocking funding opportunities for innovative ventures, and promoting sustainable impact through solutions that demonstrate environmental, social, or economic value.
This programme is led through the continued commitment of the Standard Chartered Foundation in collaboration with the Standard Chartered Bank, along with ecosystem partners such as C3. It aims to empower women entrepreneurs by equipping them with the tools, networks, and funding needed to accelerate business growth.
Applicants are expected to be early-stage startups that are already operational for at least one year and have developed a minimum viable product. The programme specifically looks for gender-diverse founding teams with at least one female co-founder. Startups must demonstrate that their solution is innovative, scalable, and capable of delivering measurable sustainable impact.
Eligibility also requires that participating startups are registered and actively operating in the United Arab Emirates and remain available for all programme activities, which include both in-person and online engagements. This ensures consistent participation and engagement throughout the duration of the programme.
Selected participants will gain access to up to USD 150,000 in equity-free funding, providing a strong financial foundation for growth. In addition to funding, startups will benefit from tailored workshops designed to strengthen scaling capabilities, along with expert guidance in areas such as business strategy and governance. Participants will also gain exposure to global networks, opening doors to potential partnerships and investment opportunities.
Overall, the programme is structured to accelerate the growth of women-led startups by combining funding, mentorship, and global connectivity, helping founders build resilient and scalable enterprises with long-term impact.
For more information, visit Standard Chartered Foundation.
