Standard Chartered Uganda has selected 20 women-led, technology-enabled startups for the second cohort of its Women in Tech Uganda Accelerator Programme, strengthening efforts to expand women’s participation in Uganda’s digital economy.
The cohort, unveiled on August 20, 2026, brings together startups developing solutions in agriculture, education, healthcare, renewable energy, accessibility and financial inclusion.
The programme is being implemented by Standard Chartered Uganda in partnership with The Innovation Village, Village Capital and Future Lab. It combines business development support, mentorship, market access, investment readiness and catalytic funding to help participating businesses move from early-stage ventures to scalable enterprises.
The selected founders will undergo training and coaching in areas including business model development, digital adoption, market validation, financial management, leadership and investor readiness.
The top-performing startups will compete for grants from a US$50,000 catalytic funding pool, which will support business expansion, operational strengthening and the scaling of solutions with measurable social and economic impact.
The cohort was introduced during a “Meet the Leadership” session at Standard Chartered’s head office in Kampala, bringing together the founders, programme partners, mentors, coaches, ecosystem players and alumni from the first cohort.
Margaret Kigozi, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing at Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, said the programme aligns with Uganda’s economic transformation priorities, particularly the use of science, technology and innovation to increase productivity and enterprise growth.
“We are pleased to once again extend this opportunity to women in technology entrepreneurs,” Kigozi said.
She said the first cohort demonstrated the potential of women-led businesses when provided with mentorship, networks, business development support and funding.
“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,” she said.
Arthur Mukembo, Chief Executive Officer of Future Lab, said the programme provides women founders with the support needed to turn promising ventures into scalable and investable 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.
Globally, Standard Chartered Foundation’s Women in Tech programme supports women entrepreneurs through access to capital, networks and tailored business support. In 2026, more than US$600,000 in grant funding is being deployed across 12 markets, including Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
The initiative seeks to address persistent barriers facing women entrepreneurs, including limited access to finance, mentorship, markets and business networks.
For Uganda, the programme comes as technology-driven entrepreneurship gains importance in efforts to create jobs, expand financial inclusion and accelerate private-sector growth.
The 20 founders will now begin their accelerator journey alongside mentors, investors, coaches and alumni, creating a wider pipeline of women-led technology businesses positioned for growth and investment.
