Q&A

ABOUT THE PROGRAM Startups will be encouraged to network and form connections
with potential investors for further follow-up after the program.
1. What is She Wins Africa? IFC will not be responsible for pitching startups to investors or
She Wins Africa is an IFC-led regional entrepreneurship program influencing decision-making on the part of the investors.
that aims to accelerate access to startup capital for women-led
startups in Africa. The program will provide investment readiness 7. Do all participating startups get to access financing?
training and training and facilitate connections with potential IFC does not guarantee funding for participating startups.
investors including venture capital firms, private equity funds, and However, through the program, IFC will connect startups to
financial institutions for them to gain experience in pitching their investors through networking, matchmaking and pitching events.
businesses. 100 women-led or founded startups will be selected
to participate through an open call for applications Later phases 8. Do all participating startups get the opportunity to pitch
of the program will focus on capacity building of accelerators, to investors?
Venture Capital (VC) Funds, and other entrepreneurship Startups will undergo investment readiness training throughout
ecosystem players for gender lens investing as well as scaling up the program. When ready, investible startups will be selected to
support for women led startups at sub-regional level and earlier pitch their businesses to potential investors.
stages of development.
9. Will IFC be investing directly in participating startups?
2. What is the program offering for women-led startups? IFC is committed to increasing access to finance for women-
 The program will have two main interventions – i) investment owned businesses through its investment and advisory programs,
readiness training for startups and; ii) matchmaking and as well as its ability to convene like-minded partners to catalyze
networking events with investors where startups will pitch their change. Through its portfolio of venture capital and private
businesses to potential investors. IFC will bring together gender- equity funds, IFC is advancing gender-lens investing in Africa and
lens investors interested in investing in Africa such as client VC and beyond by supporting these funds to invest directly in women-led
Private Equity (PE) firms operating on the continent. and founded businesses as well as help build their own internal
capacity to implement gender-investing strategies. IFC believes in
the potential of women-led startups and believes She Wins Africa
ELIGIBILITY & COVERAGE
present an opportunity to build their capacity and showcase their
potential. As such, IFC will be joining other investors in evaluating
3. How do I qualify for She Wins Africa?
investible startups in line with its investment principles.
The program is open to women-led and founded startups from
sub-Saharan Africa. The eligibility criteria is defined below:
• Age: 21+ PARTNERSHIPS
• Gender: Female (female-led or founded)
• Years in business: 1+ 10. How can Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs)
• Headquarters: sub-Saharan African country. in Africa get involved in the implementation of She Wins
• Industry: Agnostic with technology as a central component. Africa?
• Previous participants of similar IFC programs are ineligible to ESOs are key in supporting the growth of women’s
apply. entrepreneurship. Besides preparing startups for investment,
• Language: Fluent in English and/or French. IFC aims to catalyze a gender-lens investing momentum in Africa
• She Wins Africa participants must be available to attend online through partnerships and collaboration with the ecosystem
training sessions and travel to networking events during the including ESOs and investors. IFC will require implementation
next 12 months. Please note that IFC will cover flight and hotel support such as delivering training and organizing events. The
expenses for the duration of the training/networking event. contracting and selection process for implementing ESOs will
follow a transparent process in line with IFC’s procurement
4. Which countries are eligible? guidelines. All details on opportunities and timelines will be
Sub-Saharan Africa countries. published on She Wins Africa website.

5. Where can I access more information on the application 11. How can other financial institutions participate?
process? IFC sees the role of other financial institutions as critical to
Interested startups can visit www.ifc.org/shewinsafrica to apply the success of the She Wins Africa program. Taking an ‘all-
or send an email to [email protected] for more information. of-ecosystem’ approach to catalyze a gender-lens investing
momentum in Africa is at the core of the She Wins Africa program
design. Women-led enterprises will require a diverse mix of capital
FUNDING
solutions, and as providers of capital, financial institutions will
play a huge role in expanding access to capital and contributing
6. Is there direct funding for startups through the program? towards advancing the growth of women-led startups. In
The program does not provide direct funding for startups and addition, financial institutions could help expand the reach
funding is not guaranteed for participants. Women-led startups to women-led and owned enterprises through their clientele
will be given tools to package their businesses and pitch directly databases.
to potential investors. IFC will put together a panel of investors
and organize matchmaking and pitching events for startups.