Applications are currently being accepted for Cohort 7 of the Standard Chartered Women in Technology Incubator. This initiative, led by Standard Chartered in collaboration with Strathmore University’s @iBizAfrica incubator, stands as Africa’s premier incubator for women in the technology sector. It aligns with the growing call for greater diversity in technology and increased opportunities for women to excel in entrepreneurship and leadership.
The program merges top-notch startup support with both local and international expertise, offering Africa’s most competitive and appealing startup incubation program. It emphasizes immersive learning, mentorship, and the cultivation of Africa’s next groundbreaking startups, poised to tackle the continent’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, with the backing of seed capital.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Startups must be registered Kenyan companies dedicated to developing technological solutions aimed at addressing socio-economic challenges in Kenya.
- Selected startup ventures may span various sectors.
- Ventures must incorporate elements of emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data, Machine Learning, Robotics, Augmented & Virtual Reality, 3D & 4D Printing, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Drone Technology, Biometrics, etc., within their respective sectors.
- Applicants must lead startup ventures with teams comprising at least 50% women.
- The principal applicant must be the founder with a majority stake.
- Startups should be operational for 3 months to less than 2 years, seeking support for proof of concept, customer development, product refinement, and business model development.
- Pre-revenue startups with early traction (users) are preferred, although post-revenue status is an added advantage.
- Startups should not have received investment exceeding KES. 500,000 or engaged in a similar program within the last year.
- Companies addressing any of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are encouraged to apply.
Requirements:
The program is in search of the most innovative minds in entrepreneurship, particularly women-led tech startups recognized as key catalysts for driving business innovation. The primary founder must meet the following criteria:
- Female gender.
- Age of 18 years or older.
- Kenyan nationality or permanent residency status.
Benefits:
- A 12-week immersive learning experience.
- Access to a prominent network of coaching experts.
- Opportunities for business-to-business networking.
- Personalized mentorship sessions tailored to address individual business needs.
- Access to join a supportive Women in Tech Alumni Network.
- An equity-free grant seed funding of $10,000 awarded to the top 7 finalists.
- Six months of continuous assistance from Standard Chartered and @iBizAfrica to support top 7 finalists in implementing go-to-market strategies and scaling efforts.
Method of Application:
For further details and to apply,
