Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge announced, awarding total of $100,000 in equity-free grants to women-led startups across the continent

Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge

Each year, the Start-Up Night Africa event in The Hague provides a powerful platform to update key stakeholders, partners and women entrepreneurs on key initiatives underway, important to stimulating greater investment in women-founded businesses. At this year’s event on 17 September 2025, Lionesses of Africa founder and ceo, Melanie Hawken, updated the audience on the launch of the exciting Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge. This impactful initiative, created by Global technology group, Naspers and Prosus, and conducted in partnership with Lionesses of Africa, invited applications from women-led tech and tech-enabled startups across the continent. Originally piloted in India earlier this year, the programme launched in Africa as part of their commitment to championing and supporting female founders in technology. Applications closed on 30 September, and the Challenge is now in the first round of screening, where an expert committee will shortlist 30 candidates for further evaluation.

Women represent 26% of Africa’s entrepreneurs, yet women-led startups receive less than 3% of venture capital funding, according to recent research by TechCabal Insights and the Africa Growth Fund. This funding gap, estimated at $42 billion, if closed, could unlock as much as $316 billion in GDP growth.

What the Tech FoundHER Challenge offers for women founders

• Funding

The programme will award three outstanding women founders operating in Africa with equity-free grants totalling US$100,000 to accelerate their growth.

• Mentorship and networks

Beyond financial support, participants will gain access to senior mentors within the Naspers-Prosus ecosystem, curated networking opportunities, and enhanced brand visibility.

• Expert feedback

Women founders will benefit from having their businesses assessed by a high-calibre panel of executives, investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders, providing valuable insights and visibility at the highest levels.

• Platform and recognition

The final six shortlisted founders will present at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on 19 November 2025, coinciding with Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. This will be a unique platform to showcase their ventures, expand their networks, and connect with influential decision-makers.

To learn more about the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge, visit the webpage: https://www.lionessesofafrica.com/tech-foundher-africa-challenge