Hello Innovators! 👋

Precious here from SASIE, your partner in tech entrepreneurship.

This week, we're fueling your entrepreneurial drive with a specially curated selection of opportunities designed to help you grow, finance, and scale your businesses. From seed grants for women-owned enterprises in Nigeria and Sierra Leone to global challenges seeking impactful solutions, there's something for every determined woman entrepreneur in this community.

Get ready to learn how you can fuel your vision, connect with amazing resources, and advance your business to the next level. Let's dive into the exciting opportunities that await!

• New Commons Challenge 2025: Empowering Global Changemakers with up to $100,000!

• WTO-ITC WEIDE Fund for the Support of Women Exporters in the Digital Economy!

• Antler Nigeria Residency: Accelerate Your Startup with Global Backup

• WomenPower2030 Seed Grant 2025: Support of Women-Owned Businesses in Nigeria & Sierra Leone!

• Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Announces the AfCFTA Hackathon 2025!

WTO-ITC WEIDE Fund for the Support of Women Exporters in the Digital Economy!

Access Finance and Technical Support to Develop Your Digital Export Capability!

The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) launched the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, a pioneering initiative aimed at helping women-owned businesses in priority countries like Nigeria reach their full potential in the digital global market. It is an amazing opportunity for Nigerian women entrepreneurs to leverage digital technologies for more productive export activities.

Successful applicants will receive;

• Financial Support: Grants to invest in digital platforms, online infrastructure, digital marketing, and other digital tools.

• Technical Assistance: Professional training and skills in e-commerce, online payments, digital marketing strategies, and data analytics for international trade.

• Market Access Facilitation: Information and assistance to access global digital markets and find potential customers.

• Networking: Interacting with other women exporters and other digital trade value chain actors.

Deadline: May 18th, 2025

Antler Nigeria Residency: Accelerate Your Startup with Global Backup

Calling Future Founders: Receive Pre-Seed Funding and World-Class Support in Nigeria!

Antler, a global early-stage venture capital firm, is launching its intensive residency program in Nigeria, and it is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for ambitious and early-stage founders, as well as aspiring women entrepreneurs, to build and launch impactful startups with significant pre-seed investment and second-to-none support. If you have a game-changing idea or are in the very early stages of building a tech-enabled business in Nigeria, this program could be your launchpad to global success.

The Antler Nigeria Residency attendees will receive the following benefits:

• Pre-Seed Funding: Successful startups may receive an early investment from Antler to give their operations and growth a boost.

• World-Class Mentorship: Advice and counsel from successful entrepreneurs, domain experts, and Antler's global network.

• Structured Curriculum: Rigorous workshops and sessions on critical areas of startup creation, such as business model evolution, product strategy, fundraising, and building teams.

• Global Network: Connection to Antler's vast network of investors, advisors, and peers across the globe.

• Office Space and Resources: A co-working environment and necessary resources to facilitate your startup experience throughout the program.

• Investment Committee Review: A unique opportunity to pitch your startup to Antler's investment committee for potential investment.

START DATE: June 2025

New Commons Challenge 2025: Empowering Global Changemakers with up to $100,000!

Women Entrepreneurs Focused on Impact, Join the Movement: Apply for Funding to Scale Your Solutions!

The New Commons Challenge 2025 is now accepting applications, offering a significant funding opportunity for global changemakers, including women entrepreneurs, who are developing novel solutions to address major social problems. The challenge will support initiatives that build a more just, equitable, and sustainable world, potentially awarding up to $100,000 in funding.

To whom is it available?

• This challenge is open to individuals, teams, and organizations globally who;

• Have developed a remarkable solution or project addressing a significant social or environmental challenge.

• Demonstrate a clear vision for impact and a strategy for scaling their venture.

• They are committed to making a difference and contributing to a more equitable and sustainable world.

• Have an existing project that is beyond the ideation stage and has some development or implementation.

Awardees of the winning applications will be qualified to

• Substantial Funding: Winning projects can receive funding of up to $100,000 to support their development and scaling. The amount awarded can depend on the project's extent and magnitude.

• International Exposure: Winning projects will be exposed internationally and recognized for their innovative solutions and impacts.

• Opportunity to Network: Interact with a global community of change-makers, mentors, and potential partners.

Deadline: June 2nd, 2025

WomenPower2030 Seed Grant 2025: Support of Women-Owned Businesses in Nigeria & Sierra Leone!

Open Up Seed Capital: Join Now and Amplify Your Social Impact Enterprise!

A wonderful opportunity has emerged for women entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone and Nigeria with the launch of the WomenPower2030 Seed Grant 2025. The WomenPower2030 Seed Grant is designed to empower women entrepreneurs at the helm of impactful startups and small businesses. This initiative aims to provide much-needed early-stage capital to women-owned businesses that create positive social and economic impacts in their communities. If you are a dedicated woman entrepreneur in one of these countries with a promising venture, this grant could be the catalyst your business needs to expand your vision.

Who is it for?

• This is a grant only for Nigerian and Sierra Leonean female business owners and residents who:

• Have and actively operate an early-stage business or small enterprise.

• Demonstrate evident economic and/or social contribution to their community.

• Possess a sustainable business model with growth and development opportunities.

Successful candidates will be awarded

• Seed Funding: Grants of an unspecified amount to offer vital early-stage capital for their ventures. The amount will probably be outlined in the application process.

• Possible Mentorship and Guidance: While not well defined in the initial announcement, seed grant initiatives often include additional assistance such as mentorship, training, and networking to enhance the grantees' success.

Deadline: May 15th, 2025

UNICEF Announces Startup Lab 2025 for Driving Social Impact!

Are you an entrepreneur building a startup that creates positive change for children and young people? The UNICEF Startup Lab 2025 is looking for mission-driven innovators to join its powerful 6-month accelerator program designed to scale impactful businesses across Ghana and beyond.

Why You Should Apply:
✅ Access high-quality training, mentorship, and business development support
✅ Receive guidance from UNICEF experts and leading private sector partners
✅ Network with investors, policymakers, and fellow impact-driven entrepreneurs
✅ Showcase your startup to potential funders and collaborators
✅ Build sustainable, scalable solutions that directly benefit children and youth

Who Can Apply:
🔹 Women-led startups registered in Ghana
🔹 Early-stage businesses with solutions focused on education, health, nutrition, child protection, and related areas
🔹 Entrepreneurs committed to achieving sustainable social impact

Deadline: May 15, 2025
Take your impact to the next level—apply now! 🚀

ICYMI

• OmniRetail shakes up Africa’s B2B e-commerce market with $20M Series A - TechCrunch

• 7 AI Tools That Help You Build a One-Person Business — and Make Money While You Sleep - Entrepreneur

• HER Voice Change-Makers Fellowship— See Details

• Nigeria AfCFTA Hackathon 2025: Empowering Youth for Africa’s Future Trade- See Details

• NGO launches digital skills, AI empowerment programme for youth-led organisations - See Details

• Women District Initiative—Social Media Manager (Fully Remote)

• UNCDEF Paid Graduate Internship 2025 (Remote Positions Available)—See Details

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