Hello Innovators! 👋

Precious here from SASIE, your partner in tech entrepreneurship.

As we step into a new week, I’m excited to bring you a fresh collection of opportunities designed to propel your professional and business journey. This week’s lineup is packed with chances for innovators, professionals, and organizations to secure funding, join exclusive fellowships, and gain global recognition. Whether you're a recent graduate, a social entrepreneur, or a woman in tech, these opportunities are your gateway to the resources, mentorship, and support you need to make a lasting impact.

Let's make this week count.

• The SARA Initiative: A Web and Community Application to Empower Women in Nigeria

• AWIEF2025: 10 Years of Impact Celebration

• The Aurora Tech Award: A Global Prize for Women Founders

• The Camelback Fellowship 2026: Equipping Early-Stage Entrepreneurs

• WBF Matching Grants: Regional Cooperation Support Grants

• The Princeton in Africa Fellowship 2026-2027

The SARA Initiative: A Web and Community Application to Empower Women in Nigeria

An opportunity for women in Nigeria to crowdfund educational resources, and a supportive community to grow their businesses and become financially independent.

Is your business committed to fostering innovation and promoting sustainable development? Wema Bank's SARA initiative invites female entrepreneurs to join an exclusive community and access a web application with various tools and resources. This programme aims to enhance a woman's ability to drive successful innovation, build an inclusive economy, and encourage long-term job creation. By participating, you can secure essential capital, network with other women, and create change within your community through transformative impact.

What You'll Receive

• Financial Solutions: Secure financial support through the SARA loan and SARA Cards, which are designed to help you grow your business.

• Training and Education: Gain access to useful tools and training to discover what you must know to prosper.

• Community and Networking: Join a community of like-minded women who are also developing their businesses.

• Useful Tools: Benefit from tools like a loan calculator and a rewards centre to guide you throughout.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

This scheme is open to women in Nigeria. This call is for individual entrepreneurs and women, and not for large enterprises.

AWIEF2025: 10 Years of Impact Celebration

An opportunity for African women entrepreneurs to attend a multi-sector conference, exhibition, and awards gala to seek connections, investment, and access to support for their business.

AWIEF2025 celebrates "10 Years of Impact" and is dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs across Africa. This conference offers you the chance to network with fellow entrepreneurs, attend workshops, masterclasses, and an exhibition, and celebrate the achievements of businesswomen at the AWIEF Awards Gala Dinner. Attending allows you to forge meaningful connections, gain insights from industry experts, and contribute to positive change in your community.

What You'll Receive

There are two ticket types:

• Standard Delegate: Offers admission to all sessions throughout the conference, the multi-sector exhibition, workshops, masterclasses, daily coffee breaks and lunch, AWIEF Awards Gala Dinner, and B2B matchmaking.

• Premium Delegate: Offers everything that the Standard package offers, plus one AWIEF Awards Gala Dinner ticket.

• Ticket Pricing:

  Standard Delegate: $96 (currently 20% discount on the original $120)

  Premium Delegate: $220

Who Can Apply?

This event is open to entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators who would like to network and empower women across Africa.

The Aurora Tech Award: A Global Prize for Women Founders

A global prize for women founders of IT and tech startups to receive funding, mentorship, and global visibility.

Are you a woman founder of an IT or tech startup who is innovating and creating social impact? The Aurora Tech Award, a global prize set and sponsored by inDrive, is now accepting your application. This project aims to reduce gender inequality in the startup world by providing funding, access to investors, and strategic guidance to position women-led startups for success in the global market. By participating, you can secure vital capital, establish global connections, and be a force for groundbreaking change in the tech industry.

What You'll Receive

• Vital Funding: A prize fund of $85,000 for top winners.

  1st place: $50,000

  2nd place: $20,000

  3rd place: $15,000

• Global Connections: Access to a filtered group of investors and strategic partners, as well as a mentorship scheme with inDrive's executives and field specialists.

• International Visibility: Media coverage and greater credibility on the international stage.

Who Can Apply?

The award is for females who have established or co-established and are running an IT or technology startup. The startup must meet the following:

• Be owned or co-owned by a woman in a leadership role.

• Have a working prototype, MVP (Minimum Viable Product), or first customers.

• Be at pre-seed or seed stage, having raised under $6 million in funding overall.

Deadline: November 12, 2025.

The Camelback Fellowship 2026: Equipping Early-Stage Entrepreneurs

An intense 16-week fellowship for early-stage entrepreneurs driving social change to access capital, mentorship, and access to a network of experts.

Are you an early-stage entrepreneur passionate about tackling social injustices? Camelback Fellowship invites you to a full-immersion 16-week programme dedicated to supporting purpose-driven companies. The programme aims to help founders scale their businesses and expand their reach for social good. By applying, you can gain vital capital, personalised mentorship, and connect with a strong network of professionals.

What You'll Receive

• Critical Funding: A non-tied cash grant of $40,000 USD to fuel your business expansion.

• Expert Guidance: Individual mentoring and coaching by a group of over 70 experts.

• Customized Resources: Resources and training specifically designed to help you grow your business.

Deadline: September 10, 2025,

WBF Matching Grants: Regional Cooperation Support Grants

An opportunity for regional Western Balkans civil society organizations (CSOs) to access grants to advance local projects to the regional level.

Are you a civil society organisation that would like to support regional development and co-operation? The WBF Civil Society Matching Grants scheme for civil society organisations, educational institutions, and other non-profit institutions is now accepting applications. The scheme aims at facilitating regional co-operation by funding projects which build cross-border alliances. By becoming a member, your organisation stands the opportunity to tap into vital funding, extend the scope of your activities, and contribute to generating positive change in the Western Balkans.

What You Will Receive

Financing for the Critical Needs: Receive up to €10,000 financing. The grant is equal to 50% of the eligible project costs, and you will cover the remaining amount from other sources.

Regional Partnership: An opportunity to implement projects with cooperators in at least two different Western Balkans countries.

Instant Decision: Decisions are typically sent within three weeks after the submission of the application.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible for this grant are various types of legal, non-profit entities, including:

• NGOs and civil society institutions

• Institution of learning

• Cultural or sports associations

• Media outlets

• Business organizations

The Princeton in Africa Fellowship 2026-2027

A fully funded fellowship for young professionals and recent graduates to work with important organisations across the African continent and gain experience in international development, leadership, and community building.

Are you a young professional or recent graduate looking to make a meaningful impact in Africa? Get a 12-month fellowship from the Princeton in Africa (PiAf) Fellowship Program. The program provides practical experience in a variety of fields, and fellows receive support from PiAf staff, alumni, and fellow fellows. In this way, you can hone your leadership, contribute to meaningful development work, and build global networks.

What You'll Receive

• Full Funding: Host organizations and PiAf sponsor costs such as:

• Housing

• A living stipend

• Certain visas and work permits

• Medical, medical evacuation, and security evacuation insurance

• A partial travel grant

• Meals and accommodation for a mid-year retreat

• Professional and Personal Development: The opportunity to live and work in Africa, with excellent experience in international development, leadership, and community building.

• A Supportive Community: Join a network of PiAf staff, alumni, and other fellows who provide ongoing support throughout the fellowship.

Who Can Apply?

Young professionals and recent graduates can apply for this fellowship. The post mentions that there are different eligibility criteria for the general fellowship program and the Nexus program, so it is best to check the official website for detailed information.

Deadline: October 27, 2025 

ICYMI

• Why being a leader requires more skills than ever - FastCompany

• How AI is starting to reshape the workforce - FastCompany

• Build Your Billion Dollar Business With These 9 Proven Steps - Forbes

• I Didn't Just Monetize My Hobby. I Scaled It Into a Startup That Empowers Writers Worldwide - Entrepreneur

• How young entrepreneurs are buying small businesses through an investment tool — and building wealth along the way - CNBC

• World Bank Group Young Professionals Program (YPP)- See Details

• Program Manager (Project Delivery & Strategic Advocacy)

• PAID Remote Internship Opportunity: Communications and Social Media Intern Position

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