Her Startup Accelerator Programme (second cohort, 2026/2027)

About

Her Startup’s second cohort is a pan-African accelerator for women founders aged 18–35 running tech-enabled businesses, combining training, monthly stipends, mentorship and a pitch opportunity for convertible revenue-based financing.

Benefits

• 🎓Training — Founder Institute accelerator training with fees covered by Her Startup; sources describe the training as 12 weeks, 14 weeks, or a 4-month programme
• 💰Monthly stipend — A monthly stipend or allowance paid in stages to support participation, with one source saying it is tied to participation and performance
• 🤝Mentorship — Six months of hands-on mentorship, with TheCable reporting 12 months of sector-tailored mentorship
• 💵Funding pitch — Opportunity to pitch to Her Startup’s investment committee for convertible, revenue-based financing; the official homepage gives an average of US$5,000, but funding is conditional on selection and pitch outcome
• 🌐Network and workspace — Access to Founder Institute’s global network and, according to the official homepage, co-working space
• 🩺Wellbeing support — Free therapy through Blueroom Care; the official homepage also mentions healthcare coverage for one year
• 📜Certificate — Participants who successfully complete training receive a certificate and become eligible to apply for funding.

Eligibility Criteria

Mandatory: women founders, co-founders or CEOs aged 18–35; an African company; a tech-enabled business; business operating for at least six months; minimum US$500 in monthly gross revenue; a unique value proposition. Preferred/encouraged: founders from Francophone African countries. Selection parameters include a maximum 20% of selected companies being fintechs and at least 15% of selected companies coming from Francophone Africa.

Participation Commitments

Training fees are covered by Her Startup. Selected participants should expect to dedicate several hours each week to onboarding, training sessions and mentorship meetings, and at least 20 hours per week during the Founder Institute accelerator. Funded founders receive convertible revenue-based financing or a convertible revenue-based loan repaid from a share of future revenue, with an option to convert into equity.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other

Target Location

Africa-wide: women founders, co-founders or CEOs leading African, tech-enabled startups across Africa; Francophone African founders are encouraged to apply.