Written by African women entrepreneurs running technology-enabled businesses can apply for Her Startup Cohort 2.0, a business accelerator offering structured training, a monthly stipend during the programme, mentorship and an opportunity to pitch for startup capital of up to US$5,000.
Her Startup supports early-stage, women-led companies with growth potential. The programme combines business training through the Founder Institute accelerator with mentorship and funding opportunities to help founders strengthen their businesses.
Applications for Cohort 2.0 are currently open, with a reported deadline of October 26, 2026.
About Her Startup Cohort 2.0
Her Startup is a pan-African initiative supporting women founders building technology-enabled businesses. Its aim is to help female entrepreneurs develop their business skills, strengthen their products, attract investment and grow their companies.
The programme combines a 12-week intensive accelerator, a stipend paid during training, mentorship and the opportunity to pitch for investment. Participants who complete the training receive a certificate and become eligible to apply for funding.
The programme is designed for founders who are already operating a business, rather than people with an idea alone.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for Her Startup Cohort 2.0, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Gender and age: Be a woman founder, co-founder or CEO aged 18–35.
- Business location: Lead a company based in an African country.
- Technology: Operate a technology-enabled business.
- Product stage: Have a minimum viable product (MVP) or an existing product on the market.
- Revenue: Generate at least US$500 in monthly revenue, sustained for a minimum of six months.
- Business potential: Demonstrate a clear value proposition and potential for growth.
The programme is open to eligible women founders across Africa, including entrepreneurs in Nigeria and other African markets. English and French are accepted on the application form.
What Businesses Are Eligible?
Her Startup focuses on technology-enabled companies operating in emerging industries and with the potential to grow.
Eligible businesses may include technology-enabled solutions in healthcare, financial services, education, agriculture, digital services and other sectors.
However, having a business idea is not enough. Applicants should already have a product in the market and evidence of sustained monthly revenue.
The programme also limits the proportion of selected companies that can be in fintech to no more than 20%, while aiming for at least 15% of selected companies to come from Francophone Africa.
What Will Selected Founders Receive?
1. Intensive Business Training
Selected founders will participate in a structured accelerator delivered through the Founder Institute. The training is designed to strengthen business models, customer understanding, growth strategies and investment readiness.
2. Monthly Stipend
Participants receive a stipend during the training period, paid in stages. The programme does not publish a fixed stipend amount on its main website.
3. Opportunity to Pitch for US$5,000
Founders who successfully complete the training become eligible to pitch their business models to the programme’s Investment Committee for startup capital.
The funding is structured as convertible revenue-based financing, rather than an unconditional cash grant. Participation does not automatically guarantee an award.
4. Six Months of Mentorship
Funded founders receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry professionals to support business growth and address operational challenges.
5. Networking and Business Support
Participants can gain access to networks, investor-readiness support and opportunities to connect with people who can help their businesses grow. The programme also lists co-working space and healthcare coverage among its support offerings.
How to Apply
Interested women founders can apply through the official Her Startup website.
Before applying, ensure that your business meets the age, technology, product and revenue requirements. Be prepared to explain what your company does, the problem it solves, its customers and its growth potential.
Application deadline: October 26, 2026, according to the current opportunity listing.
Apply for Her Startup Cohort 2.0
For enquiries, contact info@her-startup.com.
Key Details
- Programme: Her Startup Cohort 2.0
- Target applicants: Women founders, co-founders and CEOs
- Age range: 18–35
- Geographic eligibility: African countries
- Business stage: MVP or product already in the market
- Revenue requirement: At least US$500 monthly for six months
- Training: 12-week accelerator
- Funding opportunity: Up to US$5,000 in startup capital through a pitch process
- Mentorship: Six months for funded founders
- Deadline: October 26, 2026, as reported by the current opportunity listing
- Application fee: No fee is listed on the official website