The Women in Tech Accelerator, run by Standard Chartered Foundation and Village Capital, funds and supports women-led, tech-enabled startups in the UAE with investment readiness training, catalytic funding, and global networks, aiming to scale their businesses and contribute to the UAE's knowledge-based economy.

- Eligibility: Female startup founders based in the UAE; women-led, tech-enabled startups. - Stage: Early-stage startups preparing to scale (pre-seed/seed likely). - Commitment: Willingness to participate in a 5-month program (June-October 2026) with investment readiness training. - Potential for impact: Scalability, innovation, and contribution to economic diversification. - Fit with program goals: Alignment with women-led entrepreneurship and tech innovation. - Demo Day performance: Compete for equity-free cash prizes ($150,000 total).

Past cohorts include 61 women-led startups in the UAE. Notable alumni: Biosapien (biotech startup that raised $7M pre-Series A) and Ostaz (edtech startup acquired by Inspired Education Group). The 2025 cohort across Africa, Middle East, and Pakistan generated over $2M in additional revenue.

The ideal applicant is a woman founder based in the UAE, leading a tech-enabled startup with a scalable product, clear growth potential, and a strong commitment to leveraging the program's training and network to secure funding and scale. She is investment-ready or close to it, and can articulate her venture's impact on the UAE's knowledge economy.