The SANAD ElevateHer Program by Seedstars is a targeted accelerator supporting women-led and gender-inclusive startups in MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa. The program offers investment-readiness training, mentorship, capacity building, and access to global investor networks. Its goal is to close the gender finance gap and empower high-potential women entrepreneurs to scale sustainable, impactful ventures.

SANAD ElevateHer Program: Accelerator for Women-Led Startups in MENA & Sub-Saharan Africa

Overview

Seedstars has launched the SANAD ElevateHer Program, an accelerator designed to strengthen women-led and gender-inclusive startups across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Sub-Saharan Africa. The program equips female founders with tools, expertise, and investment exposure needed to scale and thrive in underfunded markets.

Why It Matters

Women founders in MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa face disproportionate barriers to financing, mentorship, and market access. ElevateHer addresses these challenges by:

• Providing a structured, data-driven growth methodology

• Opening doors to investor networks traditionally hard to access

• Strengthening business models and scaling capacity

• Introducing gender-focused KPIs and inclusive business strategies

• Supporting ventures that drive economic inclusion and social impact

The initiative is aligned with the SANAD Fund for MSME’s mission to reduce the gender finance gap and foster opportunity in emerging markets.

Program Focus and Key Features

The accelerator focuses on supporting startups that demonstrate both commercial potential and gender impact. Core program components include:

• Capacity-building training for business and technical development

• Investment-readiness preparation to help founders pitch effectively

• Hands-on mentorship from global Seedstars experts

• Sector-specific workshops tailored to individual startup needs

• Access to the Seedstars SMART™ Methodology and SIGMA™ Platform

• Exposure to investors, incubators, and ecosystem partners

Who Is Eligible?

The SANAD ElevateHer Program accepts startups that meet the following criteria:

• Women-led or strongly gender-inclusive (e.g., women in leadership roles, gender-balanced teams, gender-equity goals)

• Operating in MENA or Sub-Saharan Africa

• Early-stage or growth-stage ventures

• Must have a minimum viable product (MVP) or demonstrable market traction

• Annual revenues must be below USD 1 million

• Ventures should show potential for financial viability and social impact

Ideal sectors include but are not limited to fintech, healthtech, edtech, climate solutions, agritech, and gender-focused innovation.

How the Program Works

Program Steps

1. Application Submission
   Startups submit their profile, operational data, and gender inclusion details through the Seedstars application portal.

2. Screening & Selection
   Seedstars evaluates candidates based on leadership, traction, scalability, and gender impact potential.

3. Accel­erator Onboarding
   Selected founders join workshops, diagnostic assessments, and personalized development sessions.

4. Mentorship Phase
   Founders engage with experts to refine business models, unit economics, and fundraising strategies.

5. Investor Exposure
   Startups pitch to investors, partners, and regional networks at dedicated demo or showcase events.

6. Post-Program Support
   Alumni gain continued access to tools, community, and investment opportunities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without an MVP or demonstrable traction

• Failing to articulate gender inclusion or gender impact clearly

• Submitting incomplete financial or operational data

• Overestimating revenue projections without supporting evidence

• Not aligning business goals with social impact or gender equity objectives

FAQ

1. Do founders need to be women?

No. Startups must be women-led or strongly gender-inclusive with meaningful roles for women.

2. Is this a funding program?

It is primarily an accelerator, but participants gain direct exposure to investors and potential funding opportunities.

3. What counts as “traction”?

Traction may include users, pilots, partnerships, early revenue, or validated prototypes.

4. Are nonprofits eligible?

Impact-driven nonprofits may be considered if they demonstrate sustainable revenue models or scalable operational plans.

5. Does my startup need to be based in MENA or Sub-Saharan Africa?

Yes. Operations must be rooted in one of these regions.

6. Is there a fee to participate?

No. The program is free for selected founders.

7. What types of businesses benefit most?

Tech-enabled ventures with measurable gender impact and scalable business models.

Conclusion

The SANAD ElevateHer Program represents a powerful opportunity for women-led and gender-inclusive startups in MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa to scale through structured support and investor access. By combining Seedstars’ global expertise with SANAD’s mission to address gender finance gaps, the accelerator empowers founders to build sustainable, high-impact ventures that advance inclusive economic growth.