Standard Chartered just poured $1.9M into women-led tech startups across Africa and the Middle East — and it's betting they'll outpace Silicon Valley

Can empowering women entrepreneurs redefine the landscape of global innovation?

Welcome to this edition of our newsletter, where we celebrate the remarkable strides being made in female entrepreneurship across Africa and the Middle East. As we explore the transformative impact of strategic investments like the recent $1.9 million commitment from Standard Chartered, we're reminded of the power of inclusivity in innovation. How might these women-led ventures not only compete but excel in a global market dominated by traditional tech hubs? Join us as we dive into this inspiring journey and uncover the potential of women entrepreneurs shaping the future.

🚀 Startup of the Week: Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator

• Industry: Women Empowerment & Entrepreneurship
• Founder: Standard Chartered, in partnership with Village Capital, aims to bolster female entrepreneurship across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan through their Futuremakers initiative.
• Recent Achievement: In a strategic partnership launched on March 10, 2025, they announced plans to support 400 women entrepreneurs over three years, focusing on micro-enterprises with over $1.9 million distributed across 32 grants. This initiative has already assisted over 4,000 women in 17 markets and created more than 88,900 jobs since 2019, marking a significant commitment to inclusive growth (source).
• Location: The program spans multiple countries including Bahrain, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, Zambia, and is set to expand to Uganda and Egypt.

This initiative emphasizes equitable access to resources and aims to inspire future female founders, contributing to a thriving startup ecosystem focused on diversity and impactful innovation.

🌟 Why It Matters

The Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator, powered by Standard Chartered in partnership with Village Capital, is on a mission to empower female entrepreneurs across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan. By aiming to support 400 women over three years through specialized training and mentorship, this initiative stands out by focusing on the creation of sustainable micro-enterprises that are vital for job creation and economic growth.

This partnership challenges the industry standard by addressing the significant gender gap in entrepreneurship. With only a fraction of women in leadership roles within tech and entrepreneurship, the accelerator emphasizes the importance of equitable access to resources—ensuring that female founders can thrive in a traditionally male-dominated field. The program's commitment to distributing over $1.9 million across 32 grants is a testament to the believed potential of women-led ventures to drive impactful innovation and inclusive economic growth.

Under the leadership of female founders in a sector where their representation is still lacking, this program is not only fostering new businesses but also setting a precedent for inclusive leadership. Their vision aligns with a broader endeavor to inspire future entrepreneurs and highlight the significance of women's contributions within the startup ecosystem. As noted, since its inception, the Women in Tech program has already assisted over 4,000 women across 17 markets, illustrating the profound impact of such initiatives on transforming communities and driving valuable change (source).

🏆 Key Milestones

• Strategic Partnership Announcement: Standard Chartered has officially partnered with Village Capital to expand the Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator, facilitating growth for 400 female entrepreneurs across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan over the next three years (source).

• Significant Funding Commitment: The initiative plans to distribute over $1.9 million across 32 grants, underscoring its dedication to fostering sustainable micro-enterprises and enhancing economic growth through female empowerment.

• Proven Impact: Since its inception, the Women in Tech program has successfully assisted over 4,000 women across 17 markets, contributing to the creation of more than 88,900 jobs since 2019, thereby demonstrating its effectiveness in promoting inclusive economic growth (source).

📈 Market Impact

The Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator positions itself as a transformative force in the women empowerment and entrepreneurship landscape across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan. By focusing on empowering female entrepreneurs, the program stands out from competitors through its tailored approach to fostering micro-enterprises that cater specifically to women.

One of the distinct features of this initiative is its significant financial backing—over $1.9 million distributed across 32 grants—which enables participants to access necessary resources without the usual barriers faced by women in entrepreneurship. This financial commitment not only underscores the initiative's dedication to fostering sustainable business practices but also signals a shift towards more equitable funding landscapes in sectors that have historically been male-dominated.

Additionally, the Futuremakers program emphasizes specialized training and mentorship, equipping women entrepreneurs with essential skills and networks to thrive. This combination of support is designed uniquely for women, addressing the nuances of their entrepreneurial journeys and the specific challenges they encounter in the tech industry.

The primary target audience encompasses aspiring female entrepreneurs who seek to launch successful micro-businesses while creating a more inclusive economic environment. Moreover, the broader impact of this initiative resonates beyond individual success stories; it contributes substantially to job creation—over 88,900 jobs since its inception in 2019—demonstrating the ripple effect of empowering women-led ventures on community development and economic growth (source).

By addressing gaps in access to resources and promoting diverse leadership, the Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator is not merely positioning itself within the startup ecosystem; it is actively reshaping it, setting a precedent for what inclusive support and innovative solutions can achieve in driving social and economic change.

🤝 How You Can Support

• Follow Futuremakers on Social Media: Stay updated with the latest news, initiatives, and success stories of female entrepreneurs by following the Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator on social platforms. Your engagement helps amplify their impact and reach more aspiring female founders.

• Share Inspiring Stories: Spread the word about the Futuremakers initiative and its commitment to empowering 400 women entrepreneurs over the next three years. By sharing their story, you can inspire other female founders and contribute to a movement towards inclusive leadership and diversity in the startup ecosystem. For more details, check out their announcement here.

• Support Female Entrepreneurship: Advocate for and collaborate with women-led ventures that focus on creating sustainable micro-enterprises. By prioritizing support for businesses led by women, you can help drive meaningful change and economic growth across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan.

Together, we can help foster a more equitable and inclusive entrepreneurial landscape that champions the innovative contributions of female founders.