Naspers and Prosus Launch Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

Originally piloted in India earlier this year, the programme has now launched in Africa as part of the company’s commitment to championing and supporting female founders in technology. Global technology group, Naspers and Prosus announced the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge, inviting applications from women-led tech and tech-enabled startups across the continent. Originally piloted in India earlier this year, the programme has now launched in Africa as part of the company’s commitment to championing and supporting female founders in technology. Women represent 26% of Africa’s entrepreneurs, yet women-led startups receive less than 3% of venture capital funding, according to recent research by TechCabal Insights and the Africa Growth Fund. This funding gap, estimated at $42 billion, if closed, could unlock as much as $316 billion in GDP growth. “The Tech FoundHER Challenge is about closing one of Africa’s most urgent gaps in entrepreneurship – the lack of funding and visibility for women-led startups. Female founders are already proving that they can build competitive, tech-enabled businesses that drive growth and innovation. What they need now is the capital, networks, and market access to scale. By backing them, we are not only empowering individual entrepreneurs but unlocking economic opportunities that will benefit entire communities and the continent at large.” – Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, South Africa CEO and Executive Director, Naspers and Prosus What the Tech FoundHER Challenge offers for women founders Funding: The programme will award three outstanding women founders operating in Africa with equity-free grants totalling US$100,000 to accelerate their growth. Mentorship and networks: Beyond financial support, participants will gain access to senior mentors within the Naspers-Prosus ecosystem, curated networking opportunities, and enhanced brand visibility. Expert feedback: Women founders will benefit from having their businesses assessed by a high-calibre panel of executives, investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders, providing valuable insights and visibility at the highest levels. Platform and recognition: The six shortlisted founders will present at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on 19 November 2025, coinciding with Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. This will be a unique platform to showcase their ventures, expand their networks, and connect with influential decision-makers. “For women founders to succeed, access, capability, and visibility must come together. At Naspers and Prosus, we know strategic interventions are essential – and this challenge is designed to give proven women-led startups the platform, connections, and confidence to scale sustainably. After a successful launch in India, we are thrilled to bring the Tech FoundHER Challenge to Africa and unlock the extraordinary innovation and talent the continent has to offer.” – Prajna Khanna, Chief Sustainability Officer, Naspers and Prosus The Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge will be conducted in partnership with Lionesses of Africa is a fast-growing, 1.8 million strong network of women entrepreneurs in Africa, providing access to resources, funding opportunities, and a powerful platform to share their business stories. How to apply To apply, applicants must meet the criteria set out below. Applicants must: Be a startup focused on tech or tech-enabled products Have at least one-woman founder in a leadership position Be at or before Series B funding stage Be revenue-generating with proven market traction Applications open 1 September 2025 via the Lionesses of Africa website: click here Judging and Timeline: Submissions will be reviewed in two rounds by a panel of executives, investors, and entrepreneurs. Six finalists will advance to the final stage on 19 November 2025, where winners will be announced. Source link