Standard Chartered, C3 To Back Women-Led UAE Tech Startups

British multinational bank Standard Chartered has opened applications for the seventh cohort of its Futuremakers Women in Tech UAE Accelerator, which shall offer up to US$150,000 in equity-free funding per selected startup.

This initiative, launched in collaboration with the UAE-based social impact organization Companies Creating Change (C3) as well as the Washington-based investment firm Village Capital, aims to tackle persistent gaps in access and support for women-led tech ventures.  

Launched under the bank’s global “Futuremakers” initiative, the UAE edition is designed to address the barriers that women founders across the region continue to face by offering a combination of grant funding, strategic mentorship, and investor connections. The accelerator, implemented locally by C3, is part of a broader three-year regional effort that aims to reach 400 women entrepreneurs. With over $600,000 in catalytic grants disbursed annually across participating markets, the accelerator aims to provide startups with access to vital business and investor networks.

"When launching this year’s cohort of the Standard Chartered Women in Tech UAE Accelerator, we did so with a very clear understanding of the structural and cultural barriers women entrepreneurs continue to face across the region—particularly in technology," Kevin Holliday, Managing Director at C3, told Inc. Arabia. "Funding remains one of the most pressing gaps. Another key area is access to structured mentorship and capacity-building support. Without access to experienced mentors, these founders face struggles: from refining business models, to pitching investors, and building resilient teams." 

As such, Holliday noted that C3 is making sure that this new program is offering more than just financial support for its female participants. "Our focus isn’t just equity-free funding and high-quality mentorship, but facilitating access to wider business and investor networks," Holliday explained. "Such initiatives are vital in building infrastructure likely to help women-led businesses to thrive, scale, and sustain." 

Commenting on the ecosystem at large, Holliday noted that while investor behavior has shifted significantly over the past 10 years, female founders still face challenges in securing capital, with only two percent of VC dollars in the UAE going to female-founded startups—a percentage mirrored in the global average. In spite of that, he believes that gender-lens investing is increasingly entering the mainstream as investors see the value that diverse teams bring to businesses.

“Investor sentiment has shifted materially in the last decade," he pointed out. "10 years ago, gender-lens investing was perceived by many as very niche. Today, it’s gaining more traction, particularly among institutional investors and development finance institutions. They recognize diverse founding teams often outperform peers and can bring differentiated value to high-growth sectors."

Kevin Holliday, Managing Director at C3. Image courtesy C3.

A notable trend, Holliday added, is the rising focus on women-led startups that are driving innovative solutions, making them more attractive to investors and partners. "Women founders are launching innovative solutions aligned with national and regional priorities—from digital transformation to the circular economy—helping attract public and private sector interest," Holliday said. "Entrepreneurs should seek to position themselves at the intersection of tech and impact. Modern investors aren’t just seeking scalable solutions; they want purpose-driven models aligned with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks and national vision strategies, such as the UAE’s Centennial 2071 or Green Agenda 2030. The startups best placed to secure strategic capital and long-term support will be those delivering both commercial success and measurable impact."

Beyond funding, the Women in Tech accelerator provides a comprehensive support system designed to help female founders overcome key challenges, offering tailored training in business fundamentals, investor readiness, governance, go-to-market strategies, and leadership. "Our cohorts build high-trust relationships, gain insight from experienced experts, and have doors opened that otherwise may have been difficult to access," Holliday said. "The goal is not to merely launch viable startups, but cultivate resilient entrepreneurs able to lead confidently, adapt quickly, and scale sustainably. This is how we create a lasting shift in the entrepreneurial landscape." 

For early-stage founders struggling with challenges like gaining investor confidence or forming strategic partnerships, Holliday emphasized the importance of mentorship, alongside other key strategies for success. "We often tell early-stage founders that the right mentor can fast-track their journey by years," he shared. "A good mentor goes beyond advice; they help you course-correct in real time, navigate investor dynamics, and validate your strategic decisions."  

Holliday also advised founders to position their ventures as solutions to clearly defined problems, rather than just products. "Investors are drawn to startups with a clear market fit, strong traction, and long-term relevance," he said. "Be assertive in articulating your value. That means knowing your numbers, genuinely understanding your customer, and communicating your vision with clarity and conviction." 

Holliday also stressed that founders should strategically align with ecosystem players, highlighting that when approaching corporates or other ecosystem players, startups should show how their solutions align with their goals, ensuring that value creation is mutual.  Finally, Holliday noted that founders should leverage their lived experience to their advantage. "Your perspective is a competitive advantage, not a liability," he said. "Use it to build authentic, mission-driven companies to resonate with customers and investors. And remember, the most compelling businesses often emerge from founders who lead with purpose, as well as profit." 

To qualify for the Futuremakers Women in Tech UAE Accelerator, startups must be gender-diverse, with at least one female co-founder. Qualifying startups should be in their early stages—operational for at least one year with a minimum viable product (MVP). The startup’s solution must demonstrate innovation, scalability, and a focus on sustainable impact, whether environmental, social, or economic. Additionally, the startup must be registered and operating in the UAE and be available to participate in both in-person and online program activities. The deadline to apply is on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. 

Pictured in the lead image is a scene from an earlier edition of the Futuremakers Women in Tech UAE Accelerator. Image courtesy Standard Chartered.

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