Deadline: February 9, 2026
The SheAscends Program 2026 is a women-focused entrepreneurship accelerator designed to support growth-stage women entrepreneurs in Lagos, Nigeria, with the skills, mentorship, funding access, and networks needed to scale sustainable and profitable businesses. The programme is structured to address real business growth challenges while strengthening leadership, financial resilience, and long-term impact.
The SheAscends Program 2026 places a strong emphasis on practical learning, gender-lens innovation, and access to growth capital, making it a valuable opportunity for women-led businesses ready to move to the next stage.
About the SheAscends Program 2026
The SheAscends Program is an intensive accelerator tailored for women entrepreneurs who have moved beyond the idea stage and are already generating revenue. The programme combines hands-on training, expert mentorship, peer learning, and funding opportunities to help founders build scalable and resilient businesses.
This pilot edition focuses on Lagos-based businesses and is open to women entrepreneurs across multiple sectors, including both tech-enabled and traditional enterprises with a strong digital edge.
Programme Location
- Lagos, Nigeria (Pilot Phase)
Who Should Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Business stage: Early to mid-growth stage businesses (not idea-stage).
- Revenue requirement: Minimum annual revenue of ₦6,000,000.
- Ownership & leadership: Women-led or women-owned businesses, or businesses that are women-centric in customers or employment.
- Age range: 30–45 years old.
- Business type: For-profit enterprises.
- Business model: Tech-enabled businesses or traditional businesses with a strong digital component.
- Geographical focus: Business must be based in Lagos, Nigeria.
- Sectors: Open to a wide range of industries, including food, retail, fashion, beauty, services, agriculture, and more.
Benefits of the SheAscends Program 2026
Selected participants will receive access to a comprehensive support package, including:
1. Expert Mentorship
- One-on-one and group mentorship from experienced industry professionals.
- Practical guidance on strategy, growth, operations, and leadership.
2. Capacity-Building Training
- Structured workshops (virtual and in-person).
- Key focus areas include financial management, operations, pricing, customer acquisition, and scaling strategies.
3. Access to Growth Capital
- Opportunity to access up to ₦1,000,000 per business for qualified participants.
4. Peer Learning & Community
- Cohort-based learning alongside other growth-stage women entrepreneurs.
- Strong community support and shared learning experiences.
5. Visibility & Storytelling
- Opportunities to be featured in case studies and media showcases.
- Increased visibility within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
6. Gender-Lens & Impact Support
- Tools and frameworks for impact measurement.
- Support for integrating gender-equitable innovation into business models.
7. Ecosystem & Partnership Opportunities
- Connections to strategic partners, investors, and corporate organisations.
- Potential opportunities for future collaborations and funding pathways.
Application Deadline
- Application closes: 9 February 2026
Early application is encouraged, as spaces are limited.
Why You Should Consider the SheAscends Program 2026
The SheAscends Program 2026 is ideal for women entrepreneurs who are already generating revenue and are ready to scale with structured support, expert insight, and access to capital. The programme is intentionally designed to strengthen business foundations while enabling sustainable growth and long-term impact.
Need Help With Your Application?
We provide professional support for proposal drafting, refining, and review to help you submit a strong and competitive application.
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