NBK Launches FoundHER to Empower Women Entrepreneurs in Kuwait

As part of its mission to empower women and promote inclusive economic development, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has recently launched the FoundHER program intended to assist women entrepreneurs in building their entrepreneurial skills, increasing their professional networks, and finding ways of sustainable development.

NBK aims at encouraging the growth of women-led businesses and increasing the participation of the private sector in the economic development of the country through the FoundHER initiative. NBK aims to make the business community inclusive where women entrepreneurs can have easy access to information regarding the development of their businesses.

Key Highlights:

• NBK launches FoundHER to support women entrepreneurs across Kuwait
• Eligible Kuwaiti women must hold at least 50% ownership in their startups
• The program offers training, expert networking and potential grants that will support business growth

The program offers a holistic development platform comprising of various capacity building sessions, mentorship activities, as well as engagement with industry experts and specialists. Participants will get guidance in improving their business management skills and growth strategies.

"FoundHER reflects NBK’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs by equipping them with the skills, resources, and connections needed to navigate business challenges, seize growth opportunities, and build competitive, sustainable enterprises,” Manal Al Mattar, EVP - Head of Group Corporate Communications at NBK commented.

"The initiative aligns with the Bank’s social responsibility and ESG strategy, particularly its focus on advancing financial inclusion, supporting women’s economic empowerment, and contributing to sustainable economic development in Kuwait,” she added.

Apart from gaining necessary entrepreneurial skills, participants in the program will learn more about financing options and ways of growing their businesses. The aim is to give women entrepreneurs the opportunity to make decisions and choose pathways for growing their businesses.

The program would commence taking applications in late October 2026. To qualify, applicants should be Kuwaiti women founders or business partners with 50% or more equity in the venture. The business should operate for at least a year and be commercially registered.

The selected applicants will be able to benefit from the well-organized support programs offered by the project, which include training in business, networking with experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders, and help to improve their businesses.

The FoundHER program will involve a training component enhancing participants' business and entrepreneurship competencies such as finance, marketing, business law basics, business growth, customer engagement, and presentation.

Participants will be required to present their projects at the end of the training phase to a panel of judges that have been specially selected. This presentation session will allow women entrepreneurs to present their business models and discuss growth plans while highlighting business challenges. It will further enable participants to explain how they will solve business challenges and create growth opportunities.

The program will end honoring all the teams taking part in the program, with the announcement of projects that have been chosen for funding. Selection of projects will be made based on business challenge criteria and terms and conditions of the program. Financial support will allow the entrepreneurs to realize their entrepreneurial aspirations and grow their business. By launching FoundHER, NBK appreciates the role played by women entrepreneurs in promoting economic diversity and economic success.