Her Startup Opened Applications for Second Cohort
Early-stage African women founders can apply for a 12-week program that offers mentorship and revenue-based financing.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Startups
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Her Startup has launched applications for its second cohort of 10 women founders, aiming to address a funding gap in the region. The initiative supports businesses through a 12-week training period and provides access to capital.
Why it matters
The program seeks to bridge a significant disparity where women founders secured less than one percent of the more than $2 billion raised by African startups in 2025. This support system addresses the difficulty many self-employed women face in securing institutional backing.
Women account for 58 percent of Africa's self-employed population, yet captured less than 1 percent of the $2 billion in total venture capital raised in 2025. The program targets 10 founders for its upcoming cohort, following a pilot that saw over 200 applications.
The players
Her Startup
An accelerator program providing mentorship, business training, and revenue-based financing to early-stage African women founders.
The details
The program provides a 12-week curriculum that combines mentorship with a unique financing model. Participants pitch to an investment committee for convertible, revenue-based financing, allowing founders to repay capital as their businesses grow. Eligible applicants must be female CEOs or founders aged 18 to 35 with at least six months of operations and $500 in monthly gross revenue.
Timeline
The pilot programme began in 2024.
African startups raised over $2 billion throughout 2025.
Three ventures secured funding at a Pitch Day in April 2025.
Applications for the second cohort close on October 26, 2026.
Market Landscape
This initiative follows the documented trend where women founders in Africa secured less than one percent of venture capital in 2025. It represents a tactical departure from traditional equity-only models by introducing revenue-based financing to support high-potential, early-stage ventures.
Founders meeting the eligibility requirements should evaluate if revenue-based financing aligns with their current cash flow and growth objectives. Interested applicants must submit their materials by October 26, 2026, to be considered for the 10-founder cohort.
The takeaway
The program highlights a growing shift toward alternative financing structures for founders excluded from traditional venture capital. Operators should monitor the success of the pilot cohort's ventures as a benchmark for how revenue-based financing models perform in the African market.
Further reading
For more on the current venture capital environment for emerging companies, see our Startups section.
Live Poll
Do you believe specialized accelerator programs effectively help women-led startups secure necessary funding?
