Grace Ashiru
African women entrepreneurs can now apply for the second cohort of Her Startup, an accelerator programme offering seed funding, mentorship and business development support to early-stage technology-enabled businesses.
The initiative aims to equip female founders with the financial resources, training and professional guidance needed to strengthen their businesses and pursue sustainable growth.
Selected entrepreneurs will participate in an intensive accelerator programme delivered through the Founder Institute, alongside access to stipends, mentorship and opportunities to pitch for seed investment of up to $5,000.
The programme targets female founders, co-founders and chief executives aged between 18 and 35 who operate technology-enabled businesses anywhere in Africa.
Applicants must have developed a minimum viable product or introduced an existing product into the market. Their businesses must also demonstrate consistent monthly revenue of at least $500 over six months.
Beyond financial assistance, the initiative provides practical business training designed to help participating entrepreneurs improve their operations, refine their business models and prepare for future investment opportunities.
Her Startup also places emphasis on diversity within the African entrepreneurial ecosystem. Fintech companies will represent no more than 20% of selected startups, while at least 15% of participants are expected to come from Francophone African countries.
The programme joins other initiatives supporting women-led businesses across Africa, including She Leads Africa and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which provide entrepreneurship training, funding opportunities and business development resources.
Despite growing interest in female entrepreneurship, access to early-stage investment remains a challenge for many women-owned businesses across the continent.
Her Startup seeks to address part of this gap by combining capital access with mentorship and structured training.
However, participation does not automatically guarantee investment. Selected founders must complete the relevant training requirements and pitch their businesses for funding consideration.
Applications for Her Startup Cohort 2.0 are scheduled to close on October 26, 2026.
The initiative offers eligible women entrepreneurs an opportunity to strengthen their ventures, build professional networks and improve their readiness for future growth.
