She Wins Climate
South Asia Accelerator
Enabling women-led climate startups
A 9-month, equity-free accelerator for 25 women-led climate-tech startups in South Asia, to support women founders and leaders in climate innovation to scale impactful solutions and unlock investment opportunities.
About Us
Reimagining Acceleration
for Women in Climate-Tech
She Wins Climate South Asia Accelerator, supported by the Government of Canada, Government of Australia, and International Finance Corporation (IFC), is designed to boost the growth of 25 early and growth stage, women-led climate-tech startups from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Implemented by MicroSave Consulting (MSC) and Climate Collective Foundation (CCF), this program supports women-led climate-tech startups with capacity building, investment readiness, mentorship, and networks to scale their innovations and build a better future.
Supported By
Why Apply
1
Tailored business support
Gain access to virtual deep-dive sessions on business strategy, product-market-customer fit, investor readiness, and pitching.
2
1:1 mentorship
Get matched with global mentors experienced in coaching women-led climate-tech startups.
3
Investor access
Get pitch-ready and connect with aligned investors through demo day sessions and strategic matchmaking for investor ready startups.
4
Brand building
Sharpen your narrative and boost visibility through storytelling and digital outreach.
5
Peer learning with women founders/leaders
Learn with fellow women founders/leaders through interactive sessions and an active support group.
6
Be a part of climate-tech community
Engage with climate-tech startups and networks, driving impact across South Asia.
7
Quantify your climate impact
Learn to measure your startups climate and social impact through expert-led workshops and practical frameworks.
8
Networking
Build meaningful connections through online bootcamps, regional events, and in-person meetups with fellow founders, mentors, and investors.
Supporting women founders/leaders in accelerating their climate-tech startups into scalable, market-ready businesses.
Who Can Apply
Are you a woman founder/leader, building a climate-tech startup in South Asia, and comfortable with basic English?
If you meet the eligibility criteria below, we encourage you to apply.
Timeline
Join a cohort of women-led climate-tech startups driving scalable solutions for South Asia’s climate challenges.
Implemented By
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.
MicroSave Consulting (MSC)
MSC (MicroSave Consulting) is an international consulting firm focused on financial, social, and economic inclusion with 25+ years of experience across 68 countries. MSC has delivered 3,000+ hours of technical assistance through dedicated portfolio managers, accelerating 100+ startups across five ongoing accelerators and 20+ cohorts in Asia and Africa. MSC’s Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) practice has been at the forefront of efforts to build more gender-sensitive entrepreneurship ecosystems in South Asia.
Climate Collective (CCF)
CCF is an India-based non-profit committed to supporting climate-tech startups across the Global South. Over the last 9 years, Climate Collective has run 90 climate-tech accelerator programs and supported 1067 climate-tech startups via market acceleration, that have collectively raised ~USD 235M.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Who can apply to the program?
Women-owned or women-led startups from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka working on climate-tech solutions are eligible.
02What qualifies as a women-led or women-owned startup?
To be eligible, your startup should meet one of the following:
Option A: Women-owned: A woman founder or a group of women founders owns 51% or more of the business.
Option B: Women-led: A woman holds a key leadership position (e.g., CEO, COO, CTO, President, or Vice President),
and
– A woman or group of women owns more than 30% but less than 50% of the business,
OR
– At least 30% of board members are women.
(Preference would be given to Option A)
03Which countries are eligible for this program?
The program is open to startups legally registered and/or operating in the following six South Asian countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, startups registered outside these countries are not eligible for this edition of the program.
04Who should attend the program from the startup team?
An active woman founder (Preferred)/leader from the startup must commit to fully participate in the 9-month acceleration program. Participation throughout the program is encouraged to ensure continuity, learning, and meaningful engagement.
05What is the time commitment for the program?
The program runs over 9 months (November 2025 – July 2026) with periodic sessions, virtual workshops, mentoring, and community engagements. On average, participants can expect to dedicate 4-6 hours per month during active periods.
06What do you mean by “climate-tech”?
Climate-tech includes technologies and business models that includes (but is not limited to) sectors such as Energy Transition, Industrial Decarbonization, Mobility and Transportation, Carbon Removal and Utilization, Waste Reduction and Recycling, Industrial Circularity and Resource Efficiency, Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems, Water Security and Management, Built Environment and Urban Resilience and more.
07What stage of startups are eligible to apply to the program?
We welcome applications from women-led climate-tech startups across early to mature stages of development. Startups will be assigned to a specific track during the selection process based on their stage:
Early-stage startups
Ideal for founders who are in the process of building or validating their solution:
– Proof of Concept (PoC): I have tested the idea or built a prototype, but there is no working product yet.
– Minimum Viable Product (MVP): I have built the first version of the product or service, which is currently undergoing internal testing.
– Early validation / Revenue: I have tested the MVP with a few users, gathered feedback, started pilots, and begun generating some early revenue.
Mature-stage startups
Ideal for founders who are commercially active and ready to scale:
– Market launch / Initial commercial traction: I have launched the product commercially and have consistent customer use with a growing market presence.
– Scaled pilots / Deployments: I have executed multiple pilots or regional deployments that have shown strong outcomes.
– Growth stage: My product or service is generating regular and growing revenue.
– Mature stage: My startup has an established presence in the market, stable revenue streams, and may be exploring large-scale expansion, partnerships, or exit opportunities.
08How will the program be relevant for my startup, regardless of its stage? Will I be expected to attend all sessions?
The program is designed with flexibility at its core. We offer tailored support based on the stage and needs of your startup. Startups will be placed in one of two tracks- Early-stage or Mature-stage, based on your stage during the selection process. This ensures that all content, mentorship, and engagements are tailored to your specific needs and growth journey. While we encourage full participation to make the most of the program, the sessions will be curated to suit your context, whether you are just starting out or already scaling.
09Can solo women founders apply?
Yes! Solo women founders are welcome to apply if they meet the ownership or leadership eligibility criteria.
10Does my startup need to be legally registered to apply?
For Early-stage startups: Legal registration is not mandatory at the time of application. However, if selected, registration will be required before onboarding into the program.
For Mature-stage startups: Your startup must have at least 1 year of legal registration to be eligible.
11What are the selection criteria for the program?
Startups will be evaluated based on stage-appropriate criteria such as problem-solution fit, innovation potential, market opportunity, team capability, and alignment with the program’s focus on climate impact & supporting women founders/leaders. Separate benchmarks are used for early-stage and mature-stage startups to ensure a fair and relevant selection process.
12Will the sessions be virtual or in-person?
Most sessions are virtual. However, we may host in-person events for networking and investor relationship-building. The program will cover travel expenses for attending these events.
13Do I need to submit a pitch deck to apply?
We encourage you to share your pitch deck as part of your application so that we can get a better understanding of your startup and its fit for this program. You may upload an existing version with a few key slides during the application process. If needed, you are welcome to share an updated version with us within 3 days after submission by emailing it to contact@shewinsclimatesouthasia.com
Note: Maximum file size per upload is 25 MB. Ensure your attachments do not exceed this limit.
14What if I am unable to upload my Pitch Deck?
If you are unable to upload your Pitch Deck, please ensure the file is in PDF, PPT/PPTX, or DOC format and does not exceed the maximum size limit of 25 MB. Rename your file using a simple format such as StartupNamePitchDeck.pdf and avoid using special characters (%, &, #, etc.) in the file name. If the problem still persists, please reach out to us at contact@shewinsclimatesouthasia.com for support.
15Is English proficiency required?
The program will be conducted in English. If you are comfortable engaging in English, even if you are not fully fluent, we encourage you to apply. We aim to foster a supportive environment where all founders can grow, connect, and contribute meaningfully.
16Is this program inclusive of women from diverse backgrounds, sectors, and startup stages?
Yes. The program is designed to support women founders from across South Asia – regardless of geography, identity, sector focus, or the stage of your startup. Whether you are just getting started or already scaling your solution, we offer two tailored tracks – early-stage and mature-stage – to meet the unique needs of startups at different growth phases. This means the content and support you receive will be customized based on your startup’s maturity.
Whether you come from a traditional or non-traditional background, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and diverse community of climate-tech founders, focused on delivering relevant guidance and resources to help you succeed.
17Will I receive funding through this program?
While the accelerator does not directly offer funding, it prepares you to raise investment and introduces you to investors.
18How will the final cohort be selected?
Applications will be reviewed based on eligibility, team profile, innovation strength, climate impact potential, and stage fit. A jury of experts will select the cohort.
19When will I know if I have been selected, and when does the program begin?
You will be informed about the selection results by mid-October 2025. The program is scheduled to start from November 2025.
20Will I be informed if I am not selected?
Yes. All applicants – whether selected or not – will be notified of the final outcome once the selection process is complete. We appreciate the time and effort you put into your application.
21I have more questions. Who can I contact?
Feel free to reach out to us at: contact@shewinsclimatesouthasia.com
Implemented By
