Cairo: TECHzMagazine – News Desk
The Standard Chartered Foundation has officially launched the second edition of its Women in Tech Accelerator in Egypt, partnering with local entrepreneurship platform Entlaq and global impact investor Village Capital. Designed to foster inclusive economic growth, the initiative targets persistent challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in the region.
The 2026 program will select 12 technology-enabled, women-led startups that have already achieved market validation and are preparing to scale. Entlaq will deliver the program locally, drawing on its extensive expertise in entrepreneurship research and ecosystem building.
Participants will undergo a structured accelerator curriculum focusing on investment readiness training to prepare founders for engagement with investors, business development support to strengthen operational and growth strategies, and tailored mentorship with access to expansive professional networks. At the conclusion of the accelerator, three standout startups will receive equity-free grants from a combined funding pool of $35,000.
Despite the growing role of female founders in Egypt’s innovation economy, access to financing remains a critical hurdle. Aya Ismail, Co-Founder and Program Director at Entlaq, highlighted that their Women in Entrepreneurship Report 2025 found women-led start-ups continue to receive only a very small share of available venture funding while facing an estimated $2.2 billion funding gap, alongside limited access to specialized mentoring and professional networks.
Mohamed Gad, CEO and Head of Coverage at Standard Chartered Egypt, noted that the accelerator directly addresses these hurdles. He stated that the program is designed to help that potential scale by providing founders with access to the skills, networks, and support needed to strengthen their businesses.
The launch of the second edition follows a highly successful inaugural cohort in Egypt. The first program attracted 240 applications, ultimately selecting and supporting 11 startups through more than 35 training sessions and 40 mentorship roundtables. The tangible business impact of the 2025 cohort was significant. Yazmin Jumaali, Senior Program Manager at Village Capital, noted that the previous cohort reached approximately 16,000 new customers, created over 430 jobs, and generated $2.7 million in additional revenue.
By providing critical resources, funding, and mentorship, the Standard Chartered Foundation’s initiative continues to ensure that women-led tech businesses remain a foundational part of Egypt’s rapidly expanding innovation economy.
