The initiative will select 10 founders for training and potential investment as women-led startups continue to attract a small share
The initiative will select 10 founders for training and potential investment as women-led startups continue to attract a small share of African venture capital.
Her Startup, an accelerator for women-led technology businesses in Africa, has opened applications for its second cohort, targeting 10 early-stage founders seeking to scale their businesses and become investment-ready.
The initiative, led by KSH Foundation, Tomorrow Foundation and EHA Impact Ventures, will provide selected founders with a 12-week training programme delivered by Founder Institute, a global pre-seed startup accelerator.
The programme comes as women entrepreneurs remain underrepresented in Africa’s startup funding market. Women account for 58 percent of the continent’s self-employed population but secured less than one percent of the more than $2 billion raised by African startups in 2025, according to data cited by Her Startup.
Participants will receive monthly stipends, have their training fees covered and gain access to 12 months of sector-specific mentoring. They will also be able to pitch to Her Startup’s Investment Committee for funding through convertible, revenue-based financing, with repayments linked to business revenue.
Applicants must be women founders or chief executive officers aged 18 to 35, operate a technology-enabled business that has been running for at least six months, and generate at least $500 in monthly gross revenue. Founders from Francophone Africa are particularly encouraged to apply.
Khalil Halilu, co-founder of Her Startup and founder of KSH Foundation, said the initiative seeks to expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs to build successful businesses across Africa.
The second cohort builds on a pilot programme conducted in 2024 and 2025, which attracted more than 200 applications from 18 African countries. Ten founders were selected for training, while three ventures secured funding at the programme’s pitch day in Lagos in April 2025.
Participating businesses have since received grants and awards, attracted investor interest and gained greater visibility, according to the organisers.
One participant, Dynalimb Technologies, which produces affordable 3D-printed prosthetics, reported increased customer adoption and product sales following its participation.
“Since Her Startup, we’ve seen a steady rise in customer adoption and product sales, as more amputees experience the comfort and mobility that Dynalimb’s affordable 3D-printed prosthetics provide,” said Blessing Aniefiok, the company’s chief operating officer and a 2024 Her Startup associate.
Evelyn Castle, co-founder of Her Startup and EHA Impact Ventures, said the revenue-based financing model was designed to give founders more flexible funding arrangements that support business growth.
Maggie Gu, co-founder of Her Startup and president of Tomorrow Foundation, said technological progress creates opportunities for women to play a greater role in shaping economies and societies.
Applications for the 2026/2027 cohort close on October 26, 2026. Eligible founders can find details and apply at www.her-startup.com.
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