Tech FoundHER Challenge by Prosus – Empowering Women in Tech

Tech FoundHER Challenge, initiated by Prosus in partnership with Encubay, a global network dedicated to enhancing equity in entrepreneurship, and VAIA Climate, an investment advisory entity, aims to make a significant impact in the Indian tech sector. This initiative seeks to close the funding disparity faced by women-led startups, providing them with a platform to grow, gain funding, and connect with global networks.

Focus on Women Entrepreneurs

Encubay’s mission centres on addressing the equity challenges encountered by women entrepreneurs. Participating in projects like the Tech FoundHER Challenge aligns perfectly with their goal of empowering female founders by providing necessary access to capital, networks, and mentorship opportunities.

Investment and Impact of Prosus

Prosus, a leading global tech firm and investor, has invested approximately $9 billion across India, supporting innovative startups such as Swiggy, Meesho, Captain Fresh, and PharmEasy within various sectors such as fintech, food delivery, and e-commerce. Prosus’s dedication to fostering innovation and supporting ventures with a social impact resonates well with the objectives of the FoundHER Challenge.

Addressing the Funding Gap

Market research has consistently highlighted the underrepresentation of women in technology, innovation, and funding. The data indicates that startups founded by women attract less than 5% of global venture capital funding, showcasing a pressing gap that the FoundHER Challenge is determined to address by providing capital and opportunities for female-led initiatives in the tech ecosystem.

Application and Selection Process

Women-led tech startups are invited to submit their applications by April 4, 2025. A jury of distinguished professionals will select 30 shortlisted founders based on their innovation, scalability, and potential impact. The six top founders will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas during an in-person session scheduled for May 25, 2025, in Bangalore, with three winners gaining access to up to $50,000 in equity-free funding.

Judging Panel and Industry Leaders

The finalists will showcase their startups to a prestigious panel comprising prominent investors and industry experts, including Anjali Bansal from Avaana Capital, Archana Jahagirdar, Ronak Sandil, Apurva Dixit, Prosus Ventures CEO Martin Tschopp, and celebrated figure Priyanka Chopra.

Encubay’s Role in the Ecosystem

Encubay represents a global business community with over 10,000 stakeholders, ranging from founders and investors to corporate entities and ecosystem partners. The network tackles significant challenges that early-stage founders face and is committed to building knowledge networks, improving access to capital, and fostering opportunities for women entrepreneurs. With a track record of accelerating growth for more than 7,500 founders, Encubay collaborates with notable organizations like HSBC, Google, and AWS, enhancing sustainability, innovation, and impact.