Standard Chartered, AUC Venture Lab, and Village Capital are proud to announce the first cohort participants and the commencement of the Futuremakers Women in Tech (WIT) programme in Egypt. Part of Standard Chartered’s global Futuremakers initiative, funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation, this marks the first time the programme is being held in Egypt.
The three-month global accelerator programme is designed for visionary women entrepreneurs leading tech-based or tech-enabled startups. With the first cohort now underway, it underscores a strong commitment to advancing gender diversity and fostering an inclusive ecosystem within the country’s technology industry.
Following an over three-month competitive application and multiple evaluation and screening processes, 11 women-led Egyptian startups were selected out of 240 applications to join the first cohort of the Futuremakers Women in Tech programme in Egypt. These startups will participate in a series of masterclasses, hands-on mentorship sessions, inspiring talks and tailored investment readiness support. Throughout the programme, participants will gain access to a world-class acceleration experience designed to strengthen their business resilience and growth potential. At the conclusion of the programme, they will have the opportunity to compete for up to USD 10,000 in equity-free funding, enabling them to scale sustainably and create lasting impact within their communities.
Mohammed Gad, CEO, Standard Chartered, Egypt, said: “The launch of the Futuremakers Woman in Tech programme in Egypt marks a strategic milestone in Standard Chartered’s commitment to driving inclusive economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship. By supporting 11 high-potential, women-led startups, we are not only investing in individual funds, but we are also fostering a more diverse, tech-driven startup ecosystem. This programme is part of our broader strategy to empower the next generation of changemakers across our markets, bridge the gender gap in technology and unlock opportunities for sustainable, long-term impact. We are proud to play a role in contributing to a future where innovation is truly inclusive”.
“Since 2013, AUC Venture Lab has been committed to championing Egyptian entrepreneurs. It is truly exciting to see the first cohort of the Futuremakers Women in Tech Programme kick off, with women founders bringing forward innovative ideas and tackling unique industries. This accelerator will give them the mentorship, resources, and investment support they need to grow their ventures and make a meaningful impact,” added Ayman Ismail, Founding Director at AUC Venture Lab and Abdul Latif Jameel Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship at Onsi Sawiris School of Business, The American University in Cairo (TBC).
The accelerator is open to women-led early-stage startups in Egypt with a minimum viable product or proven business validation, at least one woman founder aged 18–35, and alignment with one or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Following a highly competitive screening and evaluation process, eleven founders were selected by an esteemed judging committee, composed of leading experts and practitioners in entrepreneurship, strategy, sustainability, and innovation. The committee included Yasmeen Adel, Chief Information Security Officer, and Nada Abdulla, Community Engagement Manager, both representing Standard Chartered; Jesse Karuga, Investment Analyst at Village Capital; Professor Ayman Ismail, Associate Professor Abdul Latif Jameel Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship and Founding Director, AUC Venture Lab; Dr. Moataz Darwish, Associate Professor of Practice in Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship both representing Onsi Sawiris School of Business at The American University in Cairo; Mohamed Younis, Founder and Vice President of CATS and Coaching Consultant for Startups; and senior members of AUC Venture Lab at AUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business, including Lina Zallat, Director; Ghada Hafez, Associate Director; Seif Hakim, Accelerator Manager; among others.
From over 240 applications, 63 startups advanced to the interview stage. After several rigorous screenings and evaluations, 25 startups joined a bootcamp and 20 final screening, representing 13 diverse sectors. Ultimately, 11 promising startups were selected to join the first WIT Egypt cohort.
While this is the first cohort in Egypt, Futuremakers by Standard Chartered has been longstanding in other markets, including Bahrain, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, Uganda and Zambia. To date, the initiative has supported 4,000 women founders across 17 markets.
