FAQs

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.

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)
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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.
Yes! Solo women founders are welcome to apply if they meet the ownership or leadership eligibility criteria.
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.
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.
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.

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.

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.

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.
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.
While the accelerator does not directly offer funding, it prepares you to raise investment and introduces you to investors.
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.
You will be informed about the selection results by mid-October 2025. The program is scheduled to start from November 2025.
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.
Feel free to reach out to us at: contact@shewinsclimatesouthasia.com
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How 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.
Can solo women founders apply?
Yes! Solo women founders are welcome to apply if they meet the ownership or leadership eligibility criteria.
Does 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.
What 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.
Will 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.
Do 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.
What 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.

Is 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.
Is 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.
Will 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.
How 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.
When 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.
Will 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.
I have more questions. Who can I contact?
Feel free to reach out to us at: contact@shewinsclimatesouthasia.com