SANAD ElevateHer Program: Empowering Women-Led Startups Across MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa

Seedstars and the SANAD Fund for MSME have officially launched the SANAD ElevateHer Program, a new initiative designed to empower women-led startups and gender-inclusive businesses across the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Women entrepreneurs in these regions continue to face barriers in accessing finance, with an estimated $42 billion funding gap. The SANAD ElevateHer Program aims to bridge this gap by providing capacity building, investment readiness training, and direct access to investors — helping women-led ventures scale and strengthen their impact.

Program Objectives

The SANAD ElevateHer Program seeks to advance gender-inclusive innovation by equipping female founders with the skills, tools, and networks needed to thrive in competitive markets. Supported by Seedstars’ SMART™ Methodology and the SIGMA™ Platform, the program delivers a data-driven, practical, and measurable approach to business growth.

Key Benefits of the SANAD ElevateHer Program

• Tailored Capacity Building and Mentorship
  Receive workshops, personalized coaching, and sector-specific guidance to refine your business model and growth strategy.
• Investor and Partner Access
  Gain connections to a curated network of 500+ investors, financial institutions, and ecosystem partners across MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Access to the SIGMA™ Platform
  Utilize Seedstars’ proprietary digital tools to measure progress, test business models, and manage impact through data-driven insights.
• Impact Measurement and Gender-Lens Integration
  Learn how to design inclusive products, integrate gender-focused KPIs, and scale women-centered innovation.
• Visibility and Storytelling Opportunities
  Showcase your startup through Seedstars’ global channels, media features, and case studies to enhance your brand exposure.
• Regional and Global Exposure
  Participate in regional competitions, networking events, and accelerator showcases to gain recognition and new market connections.
• Strategic Partnerships
  Collaborate with corporates, development organizations, and investors supporting women entrepreneurship and inclusive business growth.

Who Can Apply?

The SANAD ElevateHer Program is open to women-led startups or startups with a strong gender lens, operating in the MENA and Sub-Saharan African regions.

Eligibility Criteria:

Leadership: Women-led or gender-inclusive ventures (meeting 2X criteria for women in ownership, leadership, or customers)

Stage: Early to growth stage (minimum viable product or early traction required)

Revenue: Annual revenue ≤ USD 1 million

Business Model: For-profit, tech-enabled, and impact-driven

Eligible Countries: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Iraq, Yemen, Palestinian Territories, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, and Senegal

Joining the SANAD ElevateHer Program means becoming part of a regional ecosystem that actively champions women’s entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive economic growth. Backed by Seedstars’ proven experience in emerging markets, this program provides entrepreneurs with a platform to achieve measurable, lasting change.

How to Apply

Seedstars is a global organization that supports early-stage entrepreneurs in emerging markets through investment, acceleration, and capacity building programs.

The SANAD Fund for MSME, managed by Finance in Motion, fosters economic development and job creation across the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa by promoting access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises — with a strong focus on inclusion and gender equity.

Applications are now open for women-led startups and gender-inclusive businesses across MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Deadline: 26 November 2025

Apply here: Application

For more information: SANAD

For more opportunities: Opportunities for Youth

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