Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge

The Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge 2025, powered by Naspers and Prosus and delivered in partnership with Lionesses of Africa, is now open for applications! This is your opportunity as a woman tech (co)founder in Africa to win up to $100,000 in equity-free grants, mentorship and visibility to accelerate your business growth.

We encourage women founders to apply today and take this next step in Africa’s innovation story.

To apply, applicants must meet the criteria set out below. Applicants must:

• Be a startup focused on tech or tech-enabled products
• Have at least one-woman founder in a leadership position
• Be at or before Series B funding stage
• Be revenue-generating with proven market traction

What the Tech FoundHER Challenge offers for women founders;

1. Funding: The programme will award three outstanding women founders operating in Africa with equity-free grants totalling US$100,000 to accelerate their growth.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Platform and recognition: The 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.