Naspers & Prosus Launch Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge for Women-Led Startups

• Naspers and Prosus launched the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge
• The program welcomes applications from female-led technology and technology-enabled startups on the African continent

Naspers and Prosus have made the announcement of the launch of the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge, calling for applications from female-founded tech and tech-enabled startups on the continent.

The initiative, initially experimented with in India this year, has now been launched in Africa as part of the company's mission to empower women entrepreneurs in technology.

As per a study conducted by TechCabal Insights and Africa Growth Fund, women make up 26 percent of entrepreneurs in Africa but only get less than 3 percent of venture capital investment. The $42 billion funding gap, if filled, could add up to $316 billion in GDP growth.

Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, Naspers and Prosus CEO South Africa and Executive Director, said the challenge aims to bridge this divide by providing women founders with financing, networks, and access to markets to propel their businesses to scale.

She added that enabling women-owned businesses can unlock broader economic prospects on the continent. Major aspects of the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge are,

• Funding: Three female founders will be granted equity-free funding of US$100,000 to fuel business development.
• Mentorship and networks: They will also gain access to senior mentors in the Naspers-Prosus ecosystem, handpicked networking sessions, and increased visibility.
• Expert input: Startups will be judged by a group of business leaders, investors, and executives, providing inputs and visibility.
• Platform and recognition: Six shortlisted entrepreneurs will present at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on 19 November 2025, in line with Global Women's Entrepreneurship Day.

Prajna Khanna, Naspers and Prosus Chief Sustainability Officer, said that the program is designed to bridge access, capability, and visibility for women entrepreneurs so that they are equipped and confident to develop sustainably.

She further stated that since it had launched in India successfully, the expansion to Africa will be used to bring out the talent and innovation of the continent.

The challenge will be presented in collaboration with Lionesses of Africa, a collective of 1.8 million women entrepreneurs on the continent, with access to resources, funding, and platforms to exchange business narratives.

Applications for the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge will be opened from 1 September 2025 on the Lionesses of Africa website.

Applicable applicants are startups with a technology or tech-enabled product profile and at least one female founder serving in a leadership capacity. The business entities should be at or prior to the Series B funding stage and revenue-generating with proven market traction.

Entries will be judged in two rounds by a group of executives, investors, and entrepreneurs. Six finalists will be chosen to take part in the final phase on 19 November 2025 when the winners will be declared.