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Standard Chartered has launched the 7th edition of its Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator in the UAE, in partnership with C3 and Village Capital.

Under the leadership of Rola Abu Manneh CEO of UAE, Middle East and Pakistan, the Women in Tech programme continues to empower women founders through training, mentorship, investment readiness, and equity-free seed funding. Funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation, this initiative reflects our commitment to driving greater economic inclusion and unlocking opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs in the UAE.

2025 winners:

First place: Pharmedic

Sector: Human Health and Wellbeing
Founded: 2025
Overview: Improves clinical decision-making in fragmented healthcare systems, addressing preventable medical errors using AI.

Second place: Pulse IoT Technologies

Sector: Environment
Founded: 2023
Overview: Delivers real-time corrosion monitoring solutions that enable predictive maintenance and extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure.

Third place: SydLife AI

Sector: Human Health and Wellbeing
Founded: 2016
Overview: Uses a preventive health platform using proprietary AI to empower users and systems to improve life quality and longevity at scale.

What our past cohorts say:

“Winning the Standard Chartered Women in Tech program was a transformative moment for Taqwa Invest. It not only validated our commitment to empowering Muslims in financial matters but also fueled our passion. The recognition and support empowered us to break barriers, offering Shariah-compliant investment solutions and enabling our community to invest freely, marking a shift from challenges to empowerment.” Dr. Areeba Khan – Founder of Taqwa Invest

“Since joining the Standard Chartered’s Women in Tech 2024 program, we have expanded to Singapore and Saudi Arabia. The program provided invaluable mentorship and opportunities, accelerating our growth and impact. As we continue to push the boundaries of R&D and community engagement, we remain committed to driving meaningful change for a more sustainable future”  Virko Yu – Founder of Archieef

“Being a part of Women in Tech was integral to our closing the financing round. It allowed us to build relationships and understand the GCC ecosystem from a different lens. Winning first place allowed us to push our mission”  Dr. Khatija Ali – Founder of Biosapien

FAQ:

How to apply?

Keep an eye on our social media channels and website for updates as applications for our next Women in Tech cycle are expected to open around April

What is the selection criteria?

• Have a gender-diverse team with at least one female co-founder
• Have an early-stage startup operational for one year with at least a Minimum Viable Product (Seed-stage and pre-series A startups)
• Demonstrate that the solution is innovative and scalable
• Demonstrate the technology’s sustainable impact (environmental, social or economic)
• Be registered and operating in the UAE and be available for the duration of programme activities and events (taking place both in-person and online)

What is in it for you?

• Up to USD 150,000 in equity-free funding from Standard Chartered Bank
• Opportunity to access the global networks of Standard Chartered and C3
• Tailored workshops designed to help you scale with confidence
• Expert support across key areas from business strategy to impactful governance