As we gear up to launch our 8th Kenyan cohort of the Standard Chartered Women in Tech program, we are proud to be part of something even bigger. What started as a powerful local initiative, is now expanding across borders.
Standard Chartered, through its Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator, is extending its reach across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan, in partnership with Village Capital. Together, they are unlocking over $ 1.9 million in catalytic grants, delivering expert training, and building stronger networks for over 400 women entrepreneurs in 12 countries, including Kenya.
And yes, that means more opportunities for the women-led startups we champion every day.
Shifting the Narrative in 2025
The numbers still tell a hard truth: women founders are consistently underfunded. Less than 3% of global venture capital funding goes to women, despite the fact that women entrepreneurs power a significant share of small businesses and local innovation across the continent.
Tanuj Kapilashrami, Chief Strategy and Talent Officer at Standard Chartered, puts it plainly: “Empowering women is critical to economic growth… We believe equitable access to funding and resources is essential to fostering innovation and driving meaningful social impact.”
Through this expanded accelerator, the program aims to support 1,200+ jobs over three years and push women-led ventures into the mainstream, not as exceptions, but as leaders of the new normal.
Local Roots, Global Reach
At @iBizAfrica, we have been proud to implement the Kenyan chapter of the Women in Tech program for years, in partnership with Standard Chartered. Our goal has always been clear: provide real-world training, mentorship, and funding opportunities to help women-led businesses thrive, no matter the stage they are at.
And the results speak for themselves.
Notable success stories include alumni like:
- Ndovu – simplifying investment access for Africans
- Mandevu Beard Care – one of Kenya’s leading grooming brands
- Benacare – bringing healthcare home through nurse-led services
- Gwiji for Women – a platform connecting women domestic workers with job opportunities
These startups are not only scaling their operations, but also changing the way we define innovation, from Nairobi to beyond.
What is New in This Global Expansion?
The new Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator will now run in 12 markets: continuing in Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, South Africa, UAE, Zambia, Botswana, and Bahrain—and expanding to Uganda and Egypt for the first time.
Entrepreneurs selected for the program will receive:
- Investment-readiness training
- Tailored development plans
- Mentorship from industry leaders
- Access to global networks
- A share of the USD600,000+ distributed annually in grant funding
Here at @iBizAfrica, we are set to launch our 8th Cohort of Women in Tech this year. As always, we will continue our focus on women-led micro and early-stage businesses, especially those building inclusive, affordable, and adaptable solutions that tackle everyday challenges.
So, if you are a woman entrepreneur who is looking to move from idea to execution, or scale what you have already started, this is your moment to step up.
Want to learn more or get involved?