Her Startup opens second cohort for African women founders

Women-led tech startups across Africa have until October 26 to apply for the second cohort of Her Startup, an accelerator offering training, a monthly stipend and a chance at funding.

The programme will select 10 early-stage women founders and help them build investment-ready businesses.

It is backed by KSH Foundation, Tomorrow Foundation and EHA Impact Ventures, with training delivered by US-based pre-seed accelerator Founder Institute.

The accelerator targets a wide funding gap. Women make up 58 per cent of Africa’s self-employed population, yet women founders secured less than one per cent of the more than $2 billion raised by African startups in 2025.

Selected founders will go through a 12-week training programme with Founder Institute, with fees covered, and receive a monthly stipend so they can focus on the programme full time.

They will also get 12 months of sector-matched mentoring and a chance to pitch to Her Startup’s investment committee for funding.

That funding comes as convertible, revenue-based financing, with repayments tied to each company’s revenue rather than a fixed schedule.

“It’s not enough to just give these companies financing. It’s about giving them financing that will truly help them succeed,” said Evelyn Castle, co-founder of Her Startup and EHA Impact Ventures.

“We chose a convertible, revenue-based loan, an innovative financing mechanism that is just starting to enter the market. It is incredibly founder-friendly,” she said.

Applicants must be women founders or CEOs aged 18 to 35, running a tech-enabled business that has operated for at least six months and earns at least $500 in monthly gross revenue.

Founders from Francophone Africa are particularly encouraged to apply.

The 2024/25 pilot drew more than 200 applications from 18 African countries. Ten founders were trained, and three ventures won funding at a pitch day in Lagos in April 2025.

“Since Her Startup, we’ve seen a steady rise in customer adoption and product sales, as more amputees experience the comfort and mobility that Dynalimb’s affordable 3D-printed prosthetics provide,” said Blessing Aniefiok, chief operating officer of Dynalimb Technologies and a pilot participant.

Khalil Halilu, co-founder of Her Startup and founder of KSH Foundation, said the partners want the programme’s impact to reach beyond Nigeria.

“Together, we can create a thriving ecosystem where women entrepreneurs are empowered to lead, innovate and succeed,” he said.

Maggie Gu, co-founder of Her Startup and president of Tomorrow Foundation, said technology now gives women “a historic opportunity” to lead.

“Today, intelligence, creativity and judgment can be amplified as never before, opening a historic opportunity for women – not merely to participate in the future, but to stand at the forefront and help lead it,” she said.

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