SBWC to sponsor 10 female entrepreneurs, start-ups

SHARJAH / WAM

The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC), is calling upon all female entrepreneurs and start-up owners to apply to become one of the ten start-ups it will sponsor during Gitex Future Stars, which will run between October 14-18 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
SBWC, one of Nama Women Advancement Establishment’s three entities, will be participating for the third year in a row in Gitex Future Stars, one of the fastest growing startup events in Mena and South Asia, and will sponsor ten start-up pods that will be dedicated to ten female entrepreneurs whose businesses include an element of technology.
Last year, SBWC member Sharene Lee from Melltoo, who was awarded one of the pods, won $15,000 for the “Best Female-Led Start-up” at the event.
Sheikha Hind Majid Al Qassimi, Acting Chairperson of SBWC said, “SBWC strives to empower women in business and entrepreneurs to realise their business ambitions and goals, and this event is one of the many ways in which SBWC achieves this.
Women are encouraged to seize this opportunity and apply to be one of the start-ups that will be sponsored
by SBWC.”
“The opportunities are endless for the women who will participate, as they will have the chance to engage with talented peers and have the opportunity to showcase their ideas to an audience of potential buyers and investors from across the globe, as well as participate in the various pitch competitions and gain exposure,” she added.
Gitex Future Stars is an event that brings together a world-class gathering of industry innovators, government leaders, technology creators, and future-forward thinkers.
The participants will be competing in the third largest pitch fund, GITEX Supernova Challenge, where the total assigned prized is $180,000 across nine categories. All categories are open for applicants and each offer a cash prize
of $10,000.
The criteria that applicants need to fulfil to be considered for one of the ten SBWC sponsored pods are: the applicant must be a member of Sharjah Business Women Council, the business must be founded or co-founded by a woman, must be innovative and original, and has not operated for more than five years.
SBWC’s team will evaluate the applications and choose the best applicants for the ten pods, with September 23 as the deadline for application.