Applications are now open for the Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme, a growth and investment-readiness initiative supporting high-potential women entrepreneurs across Southern Africa who are building innovative businesses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing (STEM). The programme is designed to help women-led businesses strengthen their operations, improve investment readiness, access expert mentorship and build the capacity needed to scale sustainably. The initiative is powered by WomHub and supported by the AfricaGrow Technical Assistance Facility, KfW DEG Impact and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). About the Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme The Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme is structured as a progressive three-phase growth and investment-readiness journey for women entrepreneurs in Southern Africa. The programme aims to address some of the barriers women founders face when attempting to grow innovative businesses and secure investment. Selected participants will receive support focused on strengthening their businesses and preparing them for potential access to catalytic funding. Key areas of support include: Expert mentorship from experienced business and industry professionals. Business diagnostics to identify areas requiring improvement. Investment-readiness support. Business growth and scaling guidance. Access to networks and potential investment opportunities. Support to strengthen business strategy and operations. Preparation for engagement with investors and other financial partners. The programme is particularly focused on women-led businesses operating in Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing. Who Can Apply? The opportunity is aimed at Southern African women entrepreneurs who are developing innovative businesses in STEM-related sectors. Applicants are expected to be founders or leaders of businesses with strong growth potential and an ambition to scale. The programme may be particularly relevant to entrepreneurs who are looking to: Strengthen their business model. Improve their investment readiness. Access specialised mentorship. Expand their professional and investor networks. Prepare their businesses for future funding opportunities. Develop strategies for sustainable growth. Scale innovative STEM businesses across Southern Africa. Women entrepreneurs whose businesses operate at the intersection of technology, engineering, manufacturing and other STEM sectors are encouraged to explore the opportunity. Three-Phase Programme Journey The Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme follows a structured three-phase approach intended to progressively prepare participating founders for growth and investment. Participants can expect the programme to focus on areas such as: Assessing business strengths, weaknesses and growth opportunities. Providing tailored business development support. Connecting founders with experienced mentors and experts. Strengthening financial and operational preparedness. Developing investor-readiness capabilities. Supporting founders as they prepare for potential access to catalytic capital. The phased structure is intended to ensure that entrepreneurs receive support that reflects their individual business needs and stage of development. Why the Programme Matters for Women Entrepreneurs Women entrepreneurs across Africa continue to play an important role in innovation, employment creation and economic development. However, access to capital, business networks, technical expertise and investment opportunities can remain significant challenges. Programmes such as the Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme seek to strengthen the ability of women-led businesses to overcome these barriers. For founders working in STEM sectors, investment readiness can be particularly important because innovative businesses often require substantial resources to develop technology, expand operations, enter new markets and build sustainable revenue models. By combining mentorship, business diagnostics and investor-readiness support, the programme provides participating entrepreneurs with practical tools to prepare for their next stage of growth. About WomHub WomHub is focused on supporting women entrepreneurs and female-founded businesses, particularly within Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing. Its programmes provide entrepreneurs with opportunities for mentorship, business development, investment readiness and networking. Through initiatives such as the Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme, WomHub aims to contribute to a stronger ecosystem for women-led innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa. Other WomHub Programmes The Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme is part of a wider portfolio of programmes supporting women entrepreneurs. Other initiatives featured by WomHub include: Women in Tech Incubator South Africa – an intensive programme providing masterclasses, mentorship and hands-on advisory support to women entrepreneurs building technology-enabled businesses. The programme is currently listed as closed. Green Acceleration Programme – a finance-readiness initiative for South African women entrepreneurs operating in the green economy. The programme is currently listed as closed. Amazon Sustainable Sellers – an incubator supporting women-led manufacturing businesses in South Africa with digital enablement, financial strengthening, sustainability and market-access support. The programme is currently listed as closed. WomHub Call for Mentors – an ongoing opportunity for experienced professionals to support female-founded innovations in STEM. Mentor applications are accepted on a rolling basis. What Selected Founders Can Gain Participation in the Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme can provide entrepreneurs with several potential benefits, including: Access to experienced mentors and experts. Practical business diagnostics. Tailored investment-readiness support. Opportunities to strengthen business strategies. Exposure to relevant entrepreneurial and investment networks. Guidance on preparing for potential funding. Greater capacity to scale innovative businesses. Connection to a community of ambitious women founders. The programme is therefore positioned not simply as a training opportunity, but as a pathway for promising women-led STEM businesses to strengthen their foundations and prepare for sustainable growth. How to Apply Women entrepreneurs interested in participating should review the official programme information provided by WomHub and complete the application process through the organisation’s platform. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that they meet the programme’s eligibility requirements and provide accurate information about their businesses, growth ambitions and sector of operation. Entrepreneurs who are not selected for the current programme can also explore WomHub’s other initiatives and sign up to receive notifications about future programmes. Important Information Programme: Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme Target group: Women entrepreneurs Region: Southern Africa Sector focus: Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing (STEM) Programme focus: Business growth and investment readiness Structure: Three-phase programme Key support: Mentorship, business diagnostics and investor-readiness support Potential outcome: Pathway towards catalytic funding Implementing organisation: WomHub Supported by: AfricaGrow Technical Assistance Facility, KfW DEG Impact and BMZ Application status: Open Final Takeaway The Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme provides an opportunity for high-potential women entrepreneurs in Southern Africa to strengthen their businesses and prepare for investment. Through a combination of expert mentorship, business diagnostics and specialised investor-readiness support, the initiative aims to help women-led STEM businesses become better positioned for sustainable expansion. Women founders developing innovative businesses in science, technology, engineering and manufacturing are encouraged to explore the programme and assess their eligibility. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organisation offering this programme. Applicants should refer to WomHub for the official eligibility requirements, application procedures and any updates to the programme. JOIN GSO WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW