Standard Chartered Women in Tech Grants: Nairobi & Kampala Tech Hubs Funding Female-Led Projects (2025 Cycle)” Application step by step guide

Introduction

If you’re a driven woman in Africa with a tech-based idea, a startup or a project, you’re likely aware of the many barriers: limited access to funding, exclusion from networks, a lack of tailored mentorship and a tech ecosystem still structured around men. But here’s something promising: the Standard Chartered Women in Tech (WiT) programme – delivered through the Futuremakers by Standard Chartered initiative – is specifically designed to empower female-led, tech-enabled ventures, especially in markets like Kenya (Nairobi) and Uganda (Kampala). Through immersive accelerator or grant programmes, you could receive equity-free funding, mentorship, business-acceleration support and networking for your venture.

In this post you will gain:

A clear overview of the “Women in Tech” grants or accelerator programme in Nairobi and Kampala for the 2025 cycle.
Why this matters especially for women in Africa & Asia.
A comparison of what the programme offers and what to expect.
A full step-by-step guide from preparing your application to pitching and getting selected.
Key insights and real-world examples from past cohorts.
A simple statement of purpose structure you can use.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them.
FAQs and final call to action.

By the end of this post, you’ll be equipped to move confidently through the application process and improve your chances of being among the selected female founders.

Importance of the Women in Tech Grants in Nairobi & Kampala

Why is this initiative so meaningful? Here are several reasons:

Targeted support for women-led tech ventures: Across Africa and Asia, women founders still receive a tiny fraction of investment funding. Programs like WiT help level that playing field.
Focus on inclusion and social impact: Standard Chartered’s “Futuremakers Women in Tech” initiative explicitly emphasises inclusion, diversity and addressing real-world problems with tech.
Access to funding + mentorship + global networks: It’s not just a grant or seed funding; the programme provides training, business coaching, B2B linkages and often equity-free capital.
Regional relevance – Nairobi & Kampala hubs: Currently Kenya (Nairobi hub) and Uganda (Kampala hub) are active markets where female tech-entrepreneurs can access resources locally.
Opportunity to scale and impact: Beyond funding, the program enables you to scale your venture, build sustainable business models, and benefit from international exposure.

If you’re working in tech or have a tech-enabled business in Kenya, Uganda—or similar markets—the WiT grants provide a structured pathway to growth, funding and impact.

Programme Overview & Comparison

To give you a concrete understanding of what the Women in Tech programme offers and how it compares to other typical opportunities, here is a table summarising key features.

Feature	Women in Tech (Standard Chartered – Nairobi/Kampala 2025)	Typical Tech Grant/Accelerator (for context)	What you should check
Eligible founders	Women-led (founder/co-founder female) in tech-enabled/tech-based startup in Kenya or Uganda	Often open to mixed gender but fewer specifically female-led programmes	Ensure your venture meets the “women-led” criterion
Stage of business	Often early-stage (MVP or early revenue) with growth potential	Many grant programmes require more traction	Confirm the required stage (MVP, revenue, number of employees)
Funding / Grant amount	Example: US $10,000 equity-free grant for top finalists in Kenya cohort 8	Could range from smaller micro-grants up to larger seed rounds	Know how much grant is available and whether it is equity-free
Duration of programme	~12 weeks for accelerator + ongoing support for finalists in Kenya	Other programmes may be shorter or longer	Check timeline (bootcamp, mentorship phase, Demo Day)
Focus areas	Tech-enabled/social-impact, inclusive innovation, SDG alignment	Some grants are more generic	Ensure your business aligns with thematic focus (e.g., inclusive tech, SDGs)
Location & network	Local hub (Nairobi or Kampala) plus access to Standard Chartered, Village Capital, Strathmore University etc.	Some grants run remotely only	Check whether in-person attendance is required (bootcamp, Demo Day)
Post-programme support	Mentorship, B2B linkages, alumni network, scale-up support for finalists	Varies widely	Determine what support exists after the grant/accelerator ends

This comparison gives you a clear picture of what to expect from the Women in Tech programme and how it stands out.

Eligibility Criteria – What You Must Know

Before you begin preparing your application, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. While specific criteria may vary for Nairobi (Kenya) vs Kampala (Uganda) hubs, here are the common elements for the 2025 cycle:

Key Eligibility Requirements

Female founder or co-founder: Your venture should have a woman in the leadership team (often majority stake, or key driver).
Tech-based or tech-enabled startup: Your business should use digital technology or be based on a tech solution (e.g., FinTech, EdTech, AgTech, HealthTech).
Registered and operating in host country: For example, for Nairobi hub you must be headquartered and operating in Kenya. For Kampala, likely Uganda.
Employee count and revenue stage: Many programmes require 1–10 employees and/or revenue above a minimum threshold (e.g., KES 500,000–1,000,000 in Kenya example)
Commitment to programme activities: Availability for the bootcamp, mentorship, Demo Day etc.
Impact focus: Clear alignment of your business with social, economic or environmental impact goals (often SDG-related)
Age or founding date: Some programmes specify age of founder (e.g., 18–35) or how long the business has been running.
Inclusive criteria: Some programmes encourage Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), or women from underserved communities.

What You Should Prepare

Proof of registration of the business (business registration certificate)
Pitch deck or business summary showing tech-focus, business model, traction, revenue (if applicable)
CV or profile of the founder(s)
Your impact narrative—how your business addresses an issue in the local community or market
Financials or at least basic revenue/traction indicators
Availability for bootcamp/training and willingness to engage fully

Ensuring you meet all eligibility requirements is essential before investing time in the application.

Step-By-Step Application Guide (Beginner Friendly)

Here is a clear 8-step roadmap you can follow to apply for the Women in Tech Grants in Nairobi & Kampala for the 2025 cycle.

Step 1: Confirm Application Opening & Hub Specific Details

Keep an eye on official announcements from Standard Chartered, Village Capital and implementing partners (for Kenya: Strathmore University’s iBizAfrica) –
Note the application timeframe: for example, Kenya’s WIT Accelerator Cohort 8 deadline is 16 June 2025.
Identify whether there is a separate track or grant specifically for Uganda (Kampala hub) and check deadlines.

Step 2: Assess Your Business & Fit

Confirm your business is truly tech-enabled (even if tech is one part of your model).
Ensure you have the minimum required traction (customers/users/revenue) as specified.
Prepare your impact story: how your venture addresses a social, economic or environmental challenge in your market.
Review the thematic focus for the year (e.g., “Bridging the digital divide” in Kenya 2025)

Step 3: Gather Key Documents

Typical documents you will need:

Business registration certificate and legal status.
Proof of operations (year founded, number of employees, revenue if required).
Founder/CEO CV and short bios of team.
A business summary or pitch deck: problem statement, solution, business model, traction, growth plan.
Impact narrative: show how your tech venture addresses an underserved community or market.
Evidence you are based in the hub’s country (e.g., Kenya or Uganda).
Copy of tax compliance certificate (in some hubs).
Photo/brief video of yourself or team (some applications require a short video).
Availability confirmation (e.g., you can attend bootcamp or virtual sessions).

Step 4: Complete the Online Application Form

Fill in your details correctly, answer all sections (founder background, business model, traction, impact, future plan).
Upload all required documents in required formats (PDF, etc.).
Ensure you craft concise and compelling responses: don’t leave blanks or generic text.
Early submission is beneficial: avoid last-minute technical issues.

Step 5: Pitch or Video (if required)

Some grants ask for a short video (1-3 minutes) introducing your venture and team.
You should prepare a short pitch recording describing: who you are, what your venture does, the impact, what you aim to achieve by being selected.
Ensure good lighting/sound if video is required.

Step 6: Wait for Shortlisting & Selection

After you submit, you may be invited for interviews, pitch days or bootcamp participation.
If shortlisted, you will undergo a Bootcamp / accelerator phase (typically 12 weeks) where finalists receive deeper support.
In Kenya WIT, top 7 finalists received USD 10,000 equity-free grant and six months after-programme support.

Step 7: Demo Day / Grant Award & Launch

At the end of the accelerator, a Demo Day or pitch event may be held where top finalists present to investors/mentors.
Grant awards are made to selected top ventures; you’ll receive funding and join the alumni network.
Post-programme support continues: mentorship, investor connections, go-to-market support.

Step 8: Scale & Use the Grant for Impact

Once funded, focus on executing your business plan: scaling users/customers, refining product, leveraging mentors.
Maintain communication with programme managers and network with alumni.
Use the grant strategically (as specified in funding terms) for technology, product development, market expansion or team growth.
Track your metrics and impact so that you can demonstrate results for future funding or partnerships.

By following these eight steps and preparing thoroughly, you position your venture strongly for selection.

Key Insights & Benefits of the Programme

Here are some important take-aways, advantages and real-world insights if you participate in Women in Tech grants.

Equity-free funding: The grant provided in Kenya WIT top finalists was USD 10,000 and did not require you to give up equity. This is very valuable for early-stage women-led ventures.
Strong mentorship & networks: Being in the accelerator means you gain access to experienced mentors, industry experts and Standard Chartered’s network. This opens doors beyond the grant.
Visibility and credibility: Being accepted into this competitive programme improves your credibility—beneficial when engaging future funders or partners.
Regional focus with global backing: The programme is rooted in local hubs (e.g., Nairobi, Kampala) so you can benefit from locality; yet backed by global institutions (Standard Chartered, Village Capital) which enhances exposure.
Alignment with impact & SDGs: Your tech venture isn’t expected to just make money but to contribute to broader social or environmental impact—this is attractive both to grant donors and investors.
For Africa & Asia applicability: Although focused on Africa, many of the principles (women-led, tech-enabled, impact) apply for startups in Asia as well; Standard Chartered’s network covers many markets.

Real-World Example: In Kenya, the WiT Cohort 7 launch featured female entrepreneurs working on inclusive tech solutions and the programme had already by that time awarded over KES 41 million seed funding to 32 startups.

Statement of Purpose / Pitch Deck – A Simple Strong Structure

Whether your application requires a written essay, a video pitch, or both, the underlying structure should be compelling. Here’s an outline you can adapt:

Hook & Problem Statement
- Start with a short story or statistic highlighting a real problem in your local context (e.g., limited access to tech solutions for rural women, digital divide in Uganda, etc.).
Your Solution / Venture
- Describe your business/venture in simple terms: what you do, how you do it, how tech plays a role, who your customers/users are.
Traction & Team
- Highlight what you have achieved so far: users, pilot, revenue, partnerships. Introduce your founding team and why you are capable of executing.
Impact & Business Model
- Explain how your venture creates social/environmental impact (link to SDGs). Explain how you make money or how the business is sustainable.
Why This Grant / Accelerator & Why You Now
- Clarify why you are applying to Women in Tech, what you hope to gain (funding, mentorship, network), and why your venture is ready to scale now.
Plan & Use of Grant
- Provide a high-level plan: how you will use the grant (product development, marketing, team hire) and expected outcomes in next 12-24 months.
Conclusion & Commitment
- Reiterate your passion and commitment to growth, impact and being part of the women-tech ecosystem. Thank the selection committee.

Keep your narrative clear, compelling and grounded in real numbers and local context. Your story must resonate with both business logic and impact purpose.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Mistake	Why it Sets You Back	What to Do Instead
Applying without matching eligibility	You may waste time on an application you cannot qualify for	Carefully check criteria (women-led, country hub, stage of business) and only apply if you meet them
Vague business model or traction	Selection committees need proof you can execute	Include metrics, user numbers, revenue or pilot results to show you’re already on the path
Poorly articulated impact	Program emphasises tech + impact; missing your “why” weakens your application	Clearly state how your venture addresses a local challenge and contributes to SDGs
Waiting until last minute	Technical issues or rushed responses can hurt your submission	Start 4-6 weeks in advance; gather docs, refine responses, ask someone to review
Not preparing for bootcamp/interview	You may be shortlisted but fail to progress if unprepared	Research the accelerator’s process, prepare your pitch, be ready to engage fully
Ignoring post-programme plan	The grant comes with expectations of growth and support afterwards	Outline your growth plan and how you will leverage mentorship and networks after funding

FAQs (Concise but Useful)

Q: Do I need to have a fully functional startup to apply?
A: Not necessarily fully established, but most programmes expect you to have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or early traction (users/customers) to show that your tech venture is ready to scale.

Q: Is the grant only available in Kenya or Uganda?
A: While this blog focuses on Nairobi (Kenya) and Kampala (Uganda) hubs, the Futuremakers Women in Tech programme runs across multiple markets in Africa and Asia.

Q: How much funding can I get?
A: In Kenya’s Women in Tech programme Cohort 8 the top 7 finalists received USD 10,000 each equity-free.

Q: Do I have to give up shares of my startup?
A: No – the grant is equity-free (you retain ownership) in the example cited for Kenya.

Q: Do I have to attend in-person sessions in Nairobi or Kampala?
A: Yes, many accelerators require physical attendance (bootcamp, networking events). Check the hub’s terms. Some sessions may be hybrid.

Q: Can I apply if I am based outside Kenya/Uganda?
A: Only if your company is registered and operating in the specific host country (e.g., Kenya for Nairobi hub). If you are in another country, check for local hub in your market.

Conclusion & Call to Action

The Women in Tech Grants (Standard Chartered Futuremakers) offer a rare and powerful opportunity for female technology entrepreneurs in Africa and similar markets. With equity-free funding, world-class mentorship, access to networks and a stage to scale your impact – the programme is tailor-made for women who are ready to lead, innovate and transform.

If you’ve got a tech-enabled business, a clear impact story, and readiness to grow, then don’t hesitate: begin your application now.

“Innovation doesn’t wait for permission – and neither should you.”
Apply today and be among the women who build tech solutions for Africa’s future.

Start by:

Reviewing the official application page for your hub (Kenya/Uganda)
Ensuring your venture meets the eligibility criteria
Gathering your documents and crafting a compelling application using this guide
Submitting ahead of deadline and preparing for the accelerator journey

Think of this as more than a grant – it’s your launchpad to build a tech venture, join a network of bold women leaders, and drive change in your community.