Hello Innovators! 👋

Precious here from SASIE, your partner in tech entrepreneurship.

The "January Sprint" is Here.

"Happy Monday!" Most people are "setting" goals, but the serious capital is being moved. This week, instead of looking at "grants," we’re looking at infrastructure.

From the world-renowned Y Combinator program and its life-changing investment package to the tune of $500,000 to Shecluded’s new “Gold” infrastructures targeting Nigerian women, this edition is about moving from a “side hustle” to a structured and fundable business.

Tight deadlines, some closing in only 6 days. Let's get to work.

Shecluded × CFYE: Dream to Business Incubator Program (Cohort 8)

Shecluded, in collaboration with the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment, is about to roll out Cohort 8 of its flagship incubator. This framework empowers females and youths to successfully progress their ideas, starting from "the dream" and moving to "the business," as well as preparing them for professional funding support.

What You’ll Receive

• Virtual Training: The Virtual training will be structured into a period of 4 weeks with a focus on

• Seeds Funding Opportunity: Access to a pitching competition for a chance to secure grants for the best performers.

• Funding Preparation: Professional advice on applying for grants as well as direct access to debt funding sources.

• Support Services: Business development assistance, including a formal guideline on how to validate your business concept.

• Professional Mentorship: You can take advantage of the one on one mentorship as well as obtain a certification to give your business more credibility.

Deadline: January 31, 2026

SheAscends Program 2026

SheAscends is a high-impact accelerator aimed at assisting growth-stage women entrepreneurs within Lagos, thereby focusing on the enhancement of financial access, investment readiness, and scaled social impact businesses, mainly with a focus on mentorship as well as specialized training.

What You’ll Receive

• Growth Capital: A funding facility of up to ₦1,000,000 for each business by qualified investors for the purchase of equipment or inventory.

• Expert Mentorship: Individual mentoring from industry leaders on aspects such as operations and financial strategies.

• Practical Training: Virtual and physical workshops on financial management, pricing models, digital edge strategies.

• Visibility: Featured sections in case studies or in various media outlets such as Seedstars that highlight your business’s impact.

• Ecosystem Access: Establishment of links to a community of female founders and building strategic relationships with investors or development organizations.

 Deadline: February 9, 2026

LEAP Africa: Leadership Accelerator Program (LAP) for Young African Women

The Leadership Accelerator Programme is one flagship capacity building intervention that seeks to bridge the leadership deficit that often faces Africa. This initiative is particularly designed for female professionals who work in a corporate environment. It seeks to ensure that female executives find a clear path to ascension to leadership positions through a combination of digital learning, intense boot camps, and mentor guidance.

What You’ll Receive

• 10-Module Online Course: Self-paced learning on workplace dynamics, building wealth, and executive presence.

• 1-Wk Intensive Bootcamp: A physical and high-intensity training workshop for the highest-performing participants.

• 3-Month Mentorship: Arranging direct matches of individuals with best-in-class professional mentors/careers experts to assist in specificalized career development

• Capstone Project Support: An Opportunity to Design & Implement Leadership Project in Your Organization/Community.

• Professional Certifications: Consider getting a leadership certification that helps you qualify for leadership positions!

Who Can Apply?

• Gender: This is particularly relevant for young African women.

• Age Bracket: 23 – 35 Years Old

• Experience: Candidates should have an experience of 3-8 years in a corporate / professional environment.

• Commitment: Must be prepared to complete the online modules and attend the physical bootcamp (requires a commitment payment for the bootcamp phase).

• Location: Open to candidates across Africa (40 countries already represented).

Deadline: February 13, 2026

Y Combinator Startup Program (Summer 2026)

"Y Combinator (YC) is an intensive startup accelerator that runs for three months with the goal of improving a startup's products or services, reaching a wider customer base, and raising funds for the business. The experience has been described as the 'most productive period in the life of a founder,' with access to mentors, fellow founders, and investors all around you."

What You’ll Receive

• Direct Investment: $500,000 in total investment per startup, comprised of $125,000 on a 7% equity basis, and $375,000 on an uncapped MFN

• Intensive Mentorship: Direct connection with best-of-breed innovation figures and captains of industry.

• Global Network: Access to an elite network of alumni, a vast network of investors, amongst other things.

• Demo Day: A high-profile opportunity to showcase your startup in front of the world’s most prominent investors.

• Product Support: Specialized assistance for improving product development strategies and user growth plans.

Who Can Apply?

• Location: Global. It is open to founders within Africa or elsewhere in the world.

• Stage: While we are predominantly interested in companies in the very beginning stages, companies of every stage are invited to apply.

• Sector: Industry-agnostic, if you’re building a scalable business, you qualify. Profile: Tech-savvy, creative, and confident builders.

Deadline February 9, 2026

ICYMI

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• NEBOSH × L’Oréal International Bursary (Women Only)

• Share the wealth! Do you know another 'No Ordinary Woman' in need of a ₦100M fund or a $5,000 grant? Share this mail with her! I'll share my '2026 Grant Application Checklist' with you as my special thank you for adding to the growth of our community, if you share this email with 3 friends

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