Hello Innovators! 👋

Precious here from SASIE, your partner in tech entrepreneurship.

The February Fast-Track

Happy Monday! We are officially in the "execution" month of Q1. The planning is done; the capital is moving. This week, we have a massive grant of ₦100 Million for Nigerian entrepreneurs, the opportunity to be recognized as one of the top 26 women under 35 in Africa, and an exclusive meeting of investors in Cairo.

The key to success in these opportunities? One word: Speed. One of the opportunities below has less than 24 hours to apply. Let’s get to work!

UN Women's Mentor Network (Regional Women's Entrepreneurship EXPO)

Short Description

UN Women is looking for experienced professionals to join the Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO as mentors. As a mentor, you will support 65 women-owned businesses in 14 European and Central Asian countries to help them grow, overcome day-to-day business challenges, and pitch to investors in a high-pressure setting.

What You’ll Receive

• Global Network: Access a network of like-minded individuals, investors, and business leaders in Europe and Central Asia.

• Impact: Make a direct contribution to the closing of the gender gap in entrepreneurship and economic participation.

• Leadership Experience: Add leadership experience to your own coaching and mentorship portfolio by working with high-potential international startups.

• Visibility: Be associated with a UN Women network that enables transformative and inclusive economic growth.

Who Can Apply?

• Experience: Professionals with at least five years of experience in business, tech, investment, or similar domains.

• Skills: Excellent communication skills and a passion for women's empowerment.

• Location: Open to global applicants (mentoring will take place virtually for companies in regions such as Ukraine, Serbia, Türkiye, and Central Asia).

• Role Type: This is a volunteer (non-paid) role.

Deadline: February 10, 2026

Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Climate & Biodiversity Funding for Women

A collaborative effort by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Canada (Global Affairs Canada), and Germany (IKI Small Grants) to offer climate and biodiversity funding exclusively to women-owned businesses in Nigeria. This initiative will benefit 5,000 businesses through capacity building, targeting those undergoing a transition to climate-smart agriculture, solar energy, and carbon emissions reduction.

What You’ll Receive

• Seed Funding: 240 of the most promising businesses will be chosen to receive direct seed funding to improve their operations.

• Capacity Development: Capacity building training for 5,000 women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to increase business sustainability.

• Technical Support: Technical assistance on minimizing carbon emissions and climate change effects.

• Targeted Inclusion: Specialized support for rural women who generally have limited access to bank credits.

Who Can Apply?

• Location: Female entrepreneurs based in Nigeria, with a special emphasis on those in rural areas.

• Business Type: Women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

• Sector Focus: Businesses offering products or services that support climate protection and biodiversity (such as off-grid solar, climate-smart agriculture).

NextGen’26 by 9to5Chick

NextGen’26 is a flagship recognition program that seeks to recognize 26 outstanding young career women in Africa who are under the age of 35. This program seeks to give visibility, validation, and momentum to young career women in Africa who are doing outstanding work in their respective fields.

What You’ll Receive

• Visibility & Recognition: You will be recognized as one of the 26 most promising young career women in Africa.

• Professional Validation: This recognition will give you the much-needed momentum to take your career to the next level.

• Networking: You will be part of a network of high-achieving career women in Africa.

• Influence: You will have the platform to influence the future of work through showcasing your work.

Deadline: February 2, 2026

2026 KPMG Female Founders in Africa Competition

KPMG is calling on all dynamic female entrepreneurs in Africa to compete and be given an opportunity to grow their business. This is a competition for resilient female-led businesses in sectors like tech, health, and agribusiness, among others, which have a strong market potential and a clear vision to grow.

What You Will Get

• Mentorship: You will be given access to an exclusive mentorship program provided by KPMG.

• Investor Access: You will be given direct access to investor deals and sessions.

• Branding: Your startup will be given significant branding and global visibility.

• Community: You will be given access to a wide range of community engagements provided by KPMG.

• Pitching: You will be given an opportunity to pitch your startup to a jury of investors.

Who Can Apply?

• Ownership: Your business must be female-owned and female-led.

• Business: Your business must have been in operation for at least a year.

• Business Type: Your business must be a tech-enabled, tech-driven, and tech-led business.

• Business Status: Your business must be a registered company in an African country and cannot be majority-owned by a large corporation.

Deadline: 28 February 2026

Seedstars Villa Cairo 2026

An exclusive and intimate experience with Seedstars within the RiseUp Summit week. It is a chance to network and collaborate with high-impact founders, mentors, investors like Seedstars Africa Ventures, and ecosystem support organisations in Cairo.

What You’ll Receive

• Direct Access to Investors: Get to know the people behind Seedstars International Ventures and Seedstars Africa Ventures.

• High-Level Networking: Network with our partners and ecosystem support organisations that operate in the region and worldwide.

• Collaborative Environment: Enjoy a chance to network and collaborate with fellow high-impact founders and potential business opportunities.

• Community Spirit: Feel part of our Seedstars ecosystem and our mission for a purpose-driven business and inclusive growth in a friendly environment.

Deadline: February 4, 2026

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• 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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