Deadline: October 1, 2025
Are you an innovative fintech or embedded fintech venture seeking to scale your impact? The SHIFT Program 2025 (Scaling Holistic Inclusion in Fintech Transformation) is now open for applications. This programme is designed to empower growth-stage fintech companies serving—or ready to pivot towards serving—women affected by migration and other vulnerable communities across Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA, and Asia.
With funding, mentorship, investor access, and global visibility, the SHIFT Program 2025 offers a unique platform for ventures committed to driving financial inclusion at scale.
About the SHIFT Program 2025
The SHIFT Program is an initiative that supports high-potential fintechs and embedded fintech ventures that focus on inclusive solutions. It provides both financial and non-financial support to help participating companies scale their operations while integrating gender-inclusive practices.
Application Deadline
- October 1, 2025
Applicants must submit their applications before this date to be considered.
Benefits of the SHIFT Program 2025
Selected ventures will gain access to a wide range of resources and opportunities, including:
- $10,000 Results-Based Grant: Flexible funding to support solutions targeting women affected by migration.
- Tailored Mentorship & Expert Support: Access to industry mentors, migration experts, and peer learning opportunities.
- Investor & Partner Access: Connection to a network of more than 500 investors and ecosystem partners.
- Access to the SIGMA Platform: Data-driven tools for business model testing, impact measurement, and growth tracking.
- Capacity Building: Training on gender-inclusive product design, collection of sex-disaggregated data, and integration of gender KPIs.
- Knowledge & Media Opportunities: Inclusion in case studies, podcasts, and a dedicated docuseries.
- Global Visibility: Promotion through Seedstars’ network of over 1 million members and its partners.
- Onsite Tech Ecosystem Opportunities: Invitations to major regional events for networking and showcasing.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the SHIFT Program 2025, ventures must meet the following requirements:
- Sector: Operate within fintech or embedded fintech (e.g., payments, credit, insurance).
- Stage: Be growth-stage with proven traction and revenue.
- Fundraising Readiness: Have raised funding in the last 12 months or be actively planning a fundraising round.
- Business Model: Operate as a for-profit and revenue-generating entity with clear potential to scale.
- Geography: Be based in or operating in Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA, or Asia.
- Impact Focus: Serve women affected by migration or be ready to pivot solutions towards this group.
Why Apply to the SHIFT Program 2025?
This programme is more than just a grant opportunity. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem of support that blends capital, mentorship, global exposure, and impact measurement tools. Ventures that are ready to scale and demonstrate a strong commitment to financial inclusion will find in SHIFT the right platform to accelerate growth.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can take the next step here:
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