Access to finance remains one of the most significant barriers to business growth for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Many promising ventures struggle to secure the debt or equity financing required to expand operations, create jobs, and scale sustainably. The FSDH Female Founders Growth Programme aims to bridge this gap by equipping female founders with the knowledge, tools, and investor connections needed to strengthen their businesses and unlock funding opportunities. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible, applicants must: Own or operate an existing revenue-generating business Have been in operation for at least two years Be at least 50% female-owned, or have a woman serving in a C-suite position (CEO, COO, or CTO) Demonstrate strong growth potential Be actively seeking debt or equity financing Be willing to participate in all programme activities, including physical sessions Operate a technology company or a technology-enabled business Programme Benefits Selected participants will receive: Practical investment-readiness training Direct exposure to investors and financial institutions Mentorship and guidance from experienced industry experts Support in strengthening financial and operational structures Enhanced positioning for investment and lending opportunities Potential access to debt financing of up to $1 million from FSDH Merchant Bank Opportunity to secure equity investment of up to $750,000 from WEAV Capital What Participants Will Learn Participants will gain valuable insights into how to: Develop investor-ready pitch materials Improve debt and equity funding readiness Understand investor expectations and requirements Strengthen business operations and financial management Position their businesses for long-term, sustainable growth Demo Day Opportunity At the conclusion of the programme, selected businesses will have the opportunity to pitch directly to investors and financial institutions during the programme’s flagship Demo Day event. Application Deadline: 11 June 2026 Apply here