United Arab Emirates, 7 May 2025 – Standard Chartered has announced the launch of the seventh cohort of its Women in Tech UAE Accelerator, in collaboration with C3 – Companies Creating Change and Village Capital.
The initiative is part of the bank’s global Futuremakers programme, which aims to tackle inequality and promote economic inclusion for disadvantaged youth.
The 2025 edition of the programme will support women-led tech startups in the UAE by providing tailored training, equity-free catalytic funding, and access to global investor networks. The programme will be delivered locally by C3, leveraging its strong track record in entrepreneur support and ecosystem development.
Selected startups will receive up to AED 550,000 (USD 150,000) in equity-free seed capital from the Standard Chartered Foundation. Across all participating markets, more than AED 2.2 million (USD 600,000) in catalytic grants will be distributed annually. In addition, founders will benefit from a bespoke curriculum, expert mentorship, and valuable exposure to both regional and global stakeholders.
Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer for UAE, Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, commented:
“The Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator reflects our commitment to advancing economic inclusion and empowering women entrepreneurs to thrive. Launching our seventh cohort in the UAE is a testament to our long-standing support for the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and to helping innovative, women-led businesses access the resources, networks, and funding they need to scale their impact. It also underlines our broader commitment to championing women’s empowerment and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the communities we serve.”
Despite growing momentum, women entrepreneurs continue to face systemic challenges that limit their ability to scale. This three-year initiative has been specifically designed to help female founders overcome such barriers. Through the accelerator, 400 women entrepreneurs across the region will benefit from investment-readiness support, grant funding, and mentorship that enables sustainable growth and long-term social impact.
Kevin Holliday, Managing Director of C3, said:
“We are proud to partner with Standard Chartered once again for the Futuremakers Women in Tech programme, and are excited to welcome Village Capital on board this year. At C3, we’re focused on backing purpose-driven founders with the tools and connections they need to scale. This initiative reflects the power of collaboration in creating real opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs across the UAE.”
The Standard Chartered Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator builds on a strong global track record, having supported over 4,000 women across 17 markets since inception. Applications for the 2025 cohort are now officially open.
