Wetech, UK Hub Launch Accelerator Program for Nigerian Women Founders

Driving greater investment readiness among women-led businesses, Wetech Women Foundation (Wetech) has partnered with the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, funded through the UK Government's Digital Access Programme (DAP), to launch the PitchHer Investment Readiness Program.

The eight-week accelerator will prepare 25 women founders from across Nigeria with the strategic financial knowledge, investor communication skills, and compelling pitch development needed to confidently secure funding from angel investors, venture capital firms, and other sources of growth capital.

The finalists will present their business ventures in front of an audience of 2,500+ comprising of investors, entrepreneurs, and other innovation ecosystem players for a chance to win the ₦8.5 million prize fund.

The PitchHer Investment Readiness program aims to ensure equitable investment opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. This program ensures that participants benefit from a fully rounded ecosystem comprising investment education, interaction with active investors, mentorship from industry experts, and pitching of their businesses to relevant stakeholders.

Key Highlights:

• Wetech launches PitchHer to prepare 25 Nigerian women founders for funding
• Top six founders to pitch for ₦8.5 million at Wetech 2026 conference
• UK-Nigeria Tech Hub backs investment readiness for women-led startups

After the completion of the structured learning process for six weeks, the individuals will get the opportunity to engage in live pitching evaluations in front of an expert panel.

On the basis of their performances, the founders will be selected to participate in an accelerated two-week program that will help them develop their individual mentoring skills, investor pitch development, and investor due diligence.

Gabriella Uwadiegwu, President, Wetech commented “African startups raised $3.2B in funding and only 0.9% went to female founded teams. These gender gaps compound more than we realize – preventing an additional $229B in GDP in Nigeria alone. Our program is designed to help women building get access to capital to scale, starting with our conference and networks”

The programme is set to conclude with the top six women founders making live pitches for investments at the 2026 Wetech Flagship Conference, "The Power Shift," which is set to take place on September 26, 2026.

This program is aimed at women-owned or women co-owned start-ups based in Nigeria at the pre-seed level where a product or service has been developed or is about to be released into the market and will be seeking funding in the coming 12-18 months.

Given that most of the promising companies will require some form of structure before being presented to potential investors, the program targets those firms that have been earning income, creating a client base, or even experimenting with their product lines among potential customers. The participants from diverse industries will receive assistance in terms of mentorship and fundraising, amongst others.

Working under the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub acts as a catalyst for digital change by executing the Digital Development Strategy of the FCDO in Nigeria. It encourages the use of technology and innovation and entrepreneurship by forming strategic partnerships that facilitate inclusive digital development, boost startup ecosystems, and create opportunities for companies to grow.

As a key Pan-African non-profit organisation, Wetech is committed to enabling women leaders in Africa’s technology sector. By offering targeted programmes, networking, entrepreneurship development, and innovation conferences, the organisation enables women to scale their businesses and invest in sustainable enterprises in Africa’s growing digital economy.