The Futuremakers Women in Tech UAE Accelerator is an initiative under the global Futuremakers program by Standard Chartered, designed to enhance economic opportunities for underserved youth.
Executed in collaboration with the UAE-based impact organization Companies Creating Change (C3) and Village Capital, this accelerator specifically targets support for women-led technology startups.
In the UAE, the program provides customized training, grant funding, and connections to prestigious networks for female entrepreneurs in the tech industry.
C3 will implement the program locally, utilizing its established experience in entrepreneurial support and ecosystem enhancement.
Participating startups will have the opportunity to receive up to 550,000 AED (approximately US$ 150,000) in equity-free funding provided by the Standard Chartered Foundation. In total, over AED 2.2 million (around US$ 600,000) will be allocated annually in catalytic grants across all involved markets. Startup founders will also benefit from a personalized curriculum, mentorship from experts, and opportunities to connect with regional and global investors.
Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer for the UAE, Middle East, and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, commented, “The Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator demonstrates our dedication to fostering economic inclusion and empowering women entrepreneurs. Launching our seventh cohort in the UAE highlights our continuous support for the entrepreneurial landscape here and aims to provide innovative, women-led businesses with essential resources, networks, and funding to expand their influence. This initiative also underscores our commitment to promoting women’s empowerment and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the communities we engage.”
This accelerator builds upon the successful global achievements of the Women in Tech initiative, which has assisted over 4,000 women across 17 different markets since its inception.