Standard Chartered Foundation, Entlaq and Village Capital have launched the second edition of the Women in Tech Accelerator in Egypt, opening a new cohort for women-led technology businesses seeking to scale.
The 2026 programme will support 12 technology startups through investment-readiness training, business-development support and tailored mentorship. At the end of the programme, three winners will share $35,000 in equity-free grant funding.
The accelerator is aimed at women-led, technology-enabled startups that have demonstrated market validation and are ready for further growth. Successful applicants are expected to participate in the programme between September and December.
Building on the first Egypt cohort
According to EgyptInnovate’s announcement of the programme, the first Egypt cohort attracted 240 applications and supported 11 startups through more than 35 training sessions and over 40 mentorship sessions and roundtables.
Village Capital said founders in the 2025 cohort collectively reached almost 16,000 new customers, created more than 430 jobs and generated an additional $2.7 million in revenue.
Part of a wider women entrepreneurship programme
The Egypt accelerator forms part of the wider Standard Chartered Women in Tech initiative. The organisers say the programme has supported more than 4,000 women across 17 markets since its inception, with more than $600,000 in grant funding allocated across 12 markets in 2026.
In Egypt, the programme is being delivered by Entlaq with support from Village Capital and funding from Standard Chartered Foundation. Applications and eligibility information are available through the Standard Chartered Egypt Women in Tech programme page.
The initiative comes as access to growth capital remains a significant issue for women entrepreneurs. Entlaq has cited its Women in Entrepreneurship Report 2025, which estimates a $2.2 billion funding gap affecting women-led startups in Egypt alongside constraints in specialised mentorship and professional networks.
Discover more from Towncrier Africa
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
