Naspers and Prosus announce Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge, awarding total of $100,000 in equity-free grants to women-led startups across the continent

01 Sep 2025

Naspers and Prosus announce Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge, awarding total of $100,000 in equity-free grants to women-led startups across the continent

Tech FoundHER Challenge opens for applications to women-led tech startups in Africa

Global technology group, Naspers and Prosus today 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.

Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, South Africa CEO and Executive Director of Naspers and Prosus, said: "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."

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.

Prajna Khanna, Chief Sustainability Officer at Naspers and Prosus said: "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."

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.

For more information, please contact: