Is Your 2026 Funded? Find the Final ₦100M Startup Grant Inside

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Jennifer Daniel & Precious Adeyinka
December 15, 2025

Hello Innovators! 👋

Precious here from SASIE, your partner in tech entrepreneurship.

Welcome: Your Final Resource Drop to Define 2026

The rhythm of December calls for high-impact action! Before the holiday season and application portal closings for this year roll in, know that your last and most impactful resource release of 2025 is delivered.

This week alone, we have locked in 5 incredible opportunities. Whatever your need may be, from securing a grant or exposure to investors to a thorough exploration of leadership mentoring, your chance is in the list below.

Your Voice, Our Future: The 2025 Newsletter Evaluation is Still Open!

As we collect your responses to make our No Ordinary Woman Newsletter more personalized and beneficial in 2026, please do not hesitate to reply to this message if you have not already in order to share with us in 30 seconds: "What did you find most helpful in this year, and how can you benefit from our focus on this in the coming year?"

Make this December month an effective one, people!

  • The Prestigious Global Mentorship Programme (GELA)

  • The Promise Foundation Announces Public Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival Pitch Competition 2026

  • WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award 2026: Gender-Equal Societies

  • Dr. Fola Aina Fellowship Triola Aina Foundation

  • Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) Startup Showcase 2026

The Prestigious Global Mentorship Programme (GELA)

This three-month hybrid and globally collaborative program is offered by the Global Entrepreneurs and Leaders Academy (GELA). It is geared toward the youth between the ages of 18-35 years, with a special emphasis on those who are marginalized or socioeconomically disadvantaged. It is aimed at improving employability, leadership, and social impact capacities.

What You'll Receive

  • Soft & Tech Skills Training: Building soft skills & technological skills for personal development as well as office development.

  • Structured Mentorship: A three-month curriculum with global mentors for career development.

  • Digital Tools: Access to the GELA Skillup-360 online hub (live sessions, video recordings, texts).

  • Certification: Internationally recognized certification by GELA, which is a social enterprise affiliated with the United Nations.

  • Professional Outcomes: Internship or work opportunities after completing the program.

  • Networking: International networking with equals and role models on other continents.

  • Cost: It is completely free for selected candidates.

Who Can Apply?

  • Age: Young individuals aged 18-35 years

  • Connectivity: A connection to the internet is required.

  • Commitment: Should reveal the desire to learn, accept diversity, and a passion for leadership development.

  • Evaluation: Competence to fill in the Pre-assessment form upon enrollment.

  • International Scope: Participants come from globally, ensuring representation from each continent.

Deadline: January 25th, 2026

The Promise Foundation Announces Public Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival Pitch Competition 2026

Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) Pitch Competition 2026: Unlock AED 200,000 in Grants

This is an elite Pitch Competition that takes place at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) which provides a high-profile platform for breakthrough, technology-enabled start-ups that need funding for their growth. Participants compete for funding opportunities by presenting their entrepreneurial concepts to established judges or industry leaders in the four-themed tracks of EdTech, Tech & Industry 4.0, Sustainability, and Creative Industries.

What You’ll Receive

  • Grant Funding: Total pool of funding of AED 200,000 via grants, with four winners getting AED 50,000 each (one for each track).

  • Investor Access: Potential for additional funds from investors of up to AED 500,000.

  • Exposure: Showcase Priority Opportunity and unprecedented exposure through media presence and interactions with investors.

  • Networking: Chance to personally present your idea to specialists of the respective industries, getting precious advice from them.

WHO CAN APPLY?

  • Scalable solutions that either utilize or embed cutting-edge technology or provide innovative solutions using

  • Market-Ready Startups that have gained initial consumer support and are seeing revenue growth.

  • Startup solutions that fall into the following tracks: EdTech, Tech & Industry 4.0, Sustainability, or Creative Industries.

  • Well-structured or organized startups with strong team members.

Deadline: January 8, 2026

WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award 2026: Gender-Equal Societies

Nominations Open for the WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award 2026: Gender-Equal Societies

The “WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award” is a globally respected prize for the recognition of effective sustainability achievements that have been accomplished. The theme of the “2026” sustainability prize is “Gender-Equal Societies,” namely actions in support of social stability, economic development, and sustainable development through ensuring gender equity in the world.

What You'll Receive

  • Main Award Prize: 1,000,000 SEK (Swedish Krona) for a completed high-impact sustainability achievement

  • Youth Award Prize: 50,000 SEK for young change-makers (13-29 years) who implement finished environmental or social projects.

  • Global Visibility: An international platform for expanding reach, with finalists announced in March and winners announced in April of 2026.

  • Recognition: It is the verification of sustainability by a jury of sustainability experts.

Who Can Apply?

  • Global Eligibility: All nominations are invited globally, with self- nominations being accepted.

  • Initiative Status: Candidates should indicate that they have achieved an important sustainability initiative with positive results.

  • Relevance: Activities should be relevant to the theme of Gender-Equal Societies and work towards system change consistent with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • Youth Award: This award is limited to individuals between the ages of 13-29 years.

Deadline: Wednesday, January 11, 2026

Dr Fola Aina Fellowship Triola Aina Foundation

Dr Fola Aina Fellowship- Leadership and Mentorship Program

The Triola Aina Foundation possesses an extensive leadership and mentorship program touching on youth development and partly on rural development in Nigeria. The Fellowship selects seven young leading Nigerians and is designed to build the competencies necessary to spur growth, strengthen credible governance, and enhance peace and security across the country.

What You'll Get

  • Leadership Development: A six-week Leadership Development Experience with a focus on skills in one of the following themes - Leadership in Business, Leadership in Social Development, or Leadership in Governance.

  • Colloquium: A series of participation in the annual Dr. Fola Aina Colloquium in Abuja, Nigeria, which would include networking with leaders of Nigeria from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

  • Practical Experience: Involvement in volunteer work activities with Programme Partners, providing field practical experience.

  • Networking: Opportunity to join a growing alumni body of young leaders transforming Nigeria.

  • Time Commitment: Fellows are expected to commit a minimum of 3 hours every week to activities, webinars, case studies, and assignments.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

  • Must be of Nigerian nationality.

  • Must have been a resident in Nigeria for at least six months before the date of application.

  • Must be between 21-35 years old on or before the application deadline; exceptional applicants aged 18-21 will be considered.

Deadline: December 31st, 2025

Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) Startup Showcase 2026

The SEF Startup Showcase is a selective showcase for start-ups who are ready for the market, targeting high-impact networking, investment connections, and opportunities in the MENA (Middle East/North Africa) region. It is a genuine platform for founders to showcase their products, schedule one-on-ones, and position their company for international growth.

What You'll Receive

  • Showcase Booth: A Fully Branded Showcase Pod (Indoor/Outdoor) where you can showcase your startup to investors & partners.

  • Investor Access: “Curated Investor Meetings” that provide investment access through matching with investors that align with their thesis.

  • Passes: Five Exhibitor Passes (1 + 4 for members of the start-up team) for accessing the SEF Agenda.

  • Pitch Competition Fast-Track: Immediate review for the SEF Pitch Competition (shooting for additional funding or recognition).

  • Networking: Access to SEF Networking Reception. This allows one to connect with people across borders.

  • Fee: A participation fee of AED 2,499 (and a refundable security deposit of AED 1,000) is charged.

Deadline: January 11th, 2026

ICYMI

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