Standard Chartered has announced the launch of the third edition of its ‘Women in Tech’ accelerator programme in partnership with Falak Investment Hub in Saudi Arabia. This initiative reaffirms the bank’s commitment to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation by supporting women-led and women-founded startups with bold, tech-driven solutions to shape the future of various industries.
As part of Standard Chartered’s global Futuremakers initiative, the programme aims to promote economic inclusion for young people and women through entrepreneurship, employability, and education. The 2025 edition is themed ‘Innovate. Lead. Inspire.’ and celebrates the leadership of Saudi female founders who are already making strides in the technology sector while inviting the next generation to innovate, lead, and inspire.
The accelerator is locally powered by Falak Investment Hub, a prominent ecosystem enabler in Saudi Arabia, and is backed globally by Standard Chartered. Mazen Bunyan, CEO of Standard Chartered Saudi Arabia, expressed that the programme continues to support women-led innovation and inclusive growth in the Kingdom, adding that empowering diverse talent leads to better outcomes for both communities and economies.
Previous graduates from the programme include successful startups such as Chefaa, which raised $5.25 million to expand in Saudi Arabia, Afsih, an assistive tech solution that won first place in Cohort 2, and AVA and Tarkeez, which continue to grow in fintech and productivity tech. These examples highlight the accelerator’s focus on enabling female founders to build globally competitive ventures.
The 2025 Women in Tech Accelerator offers an 8-week journey featuring masterclasses, mentorship, advisory, and access to regional investment networks. The top three startups will receive a total of $45,000 in equity-free grants. Applications are open until June 27, 2025, with the programme set to begin in early July.
About Falak Investment Hub
Falak Investment Hub is a Saudi-based ecosystem enabler that supports startups, investors, and both public and private sector entities. Founded in 2018 by Adwa AlDakheel, Falak has assisted over 180 startups and 40,000+ beneficiaries through growth services, venture funding, and strategic partnerships.
About Standard Chartered
Standard Chartered is a leading international banking group with a presence in 53 dynamic markets worldwide. The bank’s mission is to drive commerce and prosperity through its unique diversity, and its values are reflected in the brand promise: ‘Here for good.’
About Women in Tech Saudi Arabia
In collaboration with Falak Investments, Standard Chartered Saudi Arabia introduces SC Women in Tech, a pioneering initiative designed to empower women in digital startups and innovation, providing the resources and support necessary to strengthen their contributions to the economy.
