If you are a woman building a tech-enabled business in Nigeria, this one deserves a proper look. Her Startup Cohort 2.0 puts you through a 12-week accelerator, pays you a stipend while you learn, and gives you a shot at pitching for up to US$5,000 in startup capital.
The catch is that your business must already be making money. That filters out dreamers and rewards founders who have started selling. If that is you, keep reading.
About the Programme
Her Startup is a pan-African initiative that backs women who run technology-enabled businesses. The training itself is delivered through the Founder Institute accelerator, so you are learning from a structure that has been used by founders around the world.
Cohort 2.0 is the second round. The focus is on helping women founders sharpen their business model, understand their customers better and become ready for investors.
Benefits
The training covers business models, customer understanding, growth strategy and investment readiness. You get a stipend paid in stages during the 12 weeks, though the main website does not publish the amount.
Graduates earn a certificate and can pitch to the Investment Committee for up to US$5,000. Funded founders also get six months of mentorship, plus networking, investor-readiness support, co-working access and healthcare coverage, according to the listing.
One thing to understand clearly: the US$5,000 is convertible revenue-based financing, not a free grant. Joining the programme also does not guarantee you will be funded.
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be a woman founder, co-founder or CEO aged 18 to 35.
- Your company must be based in an African country. Nigeria is included.
- Your business must be technology-enabled.
- You need a minimum viable product or a product already on the market.
- Your business must earn at least US$500 a month, sustained for at least six months.
- You should show a clear value proposition and real growth potential.
- Fintech is capped at 20% of selected companies, and at least 15% of the cohort should come from Francophone Africa.
Documents Needed to Apply
The listing does not publish a document checklist. Be ready to explain what your company does, the problem it solves, who your customers are and how it will grow.
- A clear description of your product and the problem it solves.
- Proof of your monthly revenue over the last six months, such as bank statements or sales records.
- Details of your customers and traction so far.
- Your CAC registration details, if your business is registered.
An investment committee will expect numbers that hold together. If your projections are scattered, a professionally written business plan will make your revenue story much easier to defend.
Key Details at a Glance
Programme: Her Startup Cohort 2.0 2026
Organizer: Her Startup, with training delivered through Founder Institute
Eligible location: Women founders aged 18 to 35 with companies based in Africa, including Nigeria
Funding available: Up to US$5,000 convertible revenue-based financing, plus a training stipend
Application deadline: October 26, 2026 (as reported, confirm on the official site)
How to Apply
- Read the full details in the original call for applications.
- Pull together your revenue records for the past six months.
- Go to the Her Startup website and complete the application form in English or French.
- Submit before October 26, 2026.
Do not wait for the last week. Forms like this get clunky when everyone applies at once.
Final Thoughts
This is not free money, and it is not for beginners. But if your business already earns steadily, twelve weeks of structured training plus a path to capital is a strong deal.
Looking for more funding options? Browse our list of latest opportunities for the month and apply to more than one.