Twenty women-led, technology-enabled startups have been selected for the second cohort of the Women in Tech Uganda Accelerator Programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening women’s participation in entrepreneurship and Uganda’s digital economy.
The programme is being implemented by Standard Chartered Uganda in partnership with The Innovation Village, Village Capital and Future Lab. The selected startups are developing solutions in agriculture, education, healthcare, renewable energy, accessibility and financial inclusion.
The 2026 cohort was unveiled during a “Meet the Leadership” session held at Standard Chartered’s head office in Kampala. The event brought together the selected founders, programme partners, mentors, coaches, ecosystem players and members of the first cohort as the entrepreneurs prepare to begin the accelerator.
Unlike programmes that focus mainly on training, the accelerator combines business development support, mentorship, market access, investment readiness and catalytic funding to help women-led startups build sustainable and revenue-generating enterprises.
Over the coming months, the founders will receive support in refining their business models, adopting digital tools, validating markets, strengthening financial management, developing leadership skills and preparing to engage investors.
The top-performing startups will also compete for a share of a $50,000 (about Shs 184 million) catalytic grant fund. The funding is intended to help the businesses strengthen their operations, unlock new growth opportunities and scale their impact.
The programme is part of the Standard Chartered Foundation’s global youth economic empowerment initiative, which focuses on employability, entrepreneurship, decent work and microbusiness growth.
Globally, the Women in Tech programme supports women entrepreneurs through access to capital, networks and tailored business support. In 2026, more than $600,000 (about Shs 2.2 billion) in grant funding is being deployed across 12 markets, including Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
Margaret Kigozi, the head of corporate affairs, brand and marketing at Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, said the programme is aligned with Uganda’s development priorities, particularly the emphasis on science, technology and innovation.
“We are pleased to once again extend this opportunity to women in technology entrepreneurs. This programme is strongly aligned to Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Agenda, particularly its focus on Science, Technology and Innovation as a driver of productivity, enterprise growth and inclusive economic transformation,” Kigozi said.
She said the bank’s support goes beyond financial assistance, adding that entrepreneurs need skills, networks and opportunities to participate meaningfully in the economy.
“Through Women in Tech, we are building on that work by supporting women founders with mentorship, business development support, market access and catalytic funding,” she said.
Kigozi said the experience of the first cohort demonstrated the potential of women-led enterprises when they receive appropriate support.
“The first cohort showed us what is possible when women-led businesses receive the right support. They strengthened their enterprises, built confidence, expanded their networks and developed solutions responding to real societal needs,” she said.
“As we welcome Cohort 2, our ambition is to deepen that impact and help more women-led, tech-enabled businesses grow, create jobs and contribute to Uganda’s transformation agenda.”
Arthur Mukembo, the chief executive officer of Future Lab, said the accelerator would give the entrepreneurs the support required to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses.
“This accelerator programme gives women founders the structured support, market linkages, mentorship and catalytic capital needed to turn promising ventures into scalable and investable businesses,” Mukembo said.
The programme is expected to provide the 20 startups with opportunities to connect with investors, potential customers and other players in Uganda’s innovation ecosystem as they work to expand their businesses and create employment.
