Call for

She Wins Climate Accelerator Program

Organisation Name:

International Finance Corporation (IFC) and New Energy Nexus (NEX)

Application Deadline:

13 June 2025

About Organisation

The She Wins Climate Accelerator Program is a pioneering initiative developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in partnership with New Energy Nexus (NEX). IFC, a global development institution under the World Bank Group, is committed to promoting private sector growth in developing countries. Through the She Wins Climate initiative, IFC aims to close the gender gap in climate entrepreneurship and improve access to climate finance for women innovators.
New Energy Nexus (NEX) is an international non-profit that supports clean energy entrepreneurs with funding, training, and ecosystem-building support. Together, IFC and NEX bring a wealth of experience and a global network to empower women founders working at the intersection of climate innovation and entrepreneurship. This joint effort is designed to remove barriers and create pathways for women to lead climate solutions across Southeast Asia. The program fosters a community of impact-driven female leaders and connects them to valuable networks, resources, and opportunities to scale their ventures. Through mentoring, capacity-building, and investor engagement, She Wins Climate equips participants with the knowledge and exposure needed to thrive in a competitive landscape while addressing some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

About the Grant

The She Wins Climate Accelerator Program is a 12-month initiative aimed at accelerating the growth of early-stage, women-led climate startups across Southeast Asia. Designed to tackle the specific challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in the climate sector, the program provides a robust platform to scale their impact, refine business strategies, and connect with potential investors.
Twenty-five promising startups will be selected to join this cohort. Each selected entrepreneur will receive intensive business development support including one-on-one mentoring, curated networking opportunities, and expert guidance on becoming investment-ready. Additionally, the program includes access to regional and global platforms where participants can showcase their innovations. Travel and accommodation expenses for attending in-person events will be fully covered.
This initiative strongly emphasizes visibility, connection, and investor readiness—offering curated media coverage, access to global forums, and private peer support networks. The program is part of a broader movement to enable women to lead in climate innovation, helping them to not only sustain but grow their climate-oriented ventures. Whether focusing on energy efficiency, pollution reduction, or nature-based solutions, selected participants will benefit from a tailored ecosystem designed to propel their startup’s success in the climate space.

Who can Apply?

The She Wins Climate Accelerator Program is open to passionate women entrepreneurs leading startups that focus directly on climate-related solutions. Applicants must be 21 years or older, identify as a woman, and be proficient in English, as the program will be conducted in the language. The applicant must be the founder, co-founder, owner, or in an executive leadership position within the startup.
In terms of business eligibility, the startup must be legally registered and operating in one of the following Southeast Asian countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam. It must be at least one year old by the time of application and should be either women-owned or women-led. The business should be beyond the ideation stage, falling under pre-seed, seed, or Series A stages.
The startup must also be tackling climate change at its core—whether through greenhouse gas emissions reductions, sustainable products, circular economy practices, nature-based solutions, pollution prevention, energy efficiency, or climate adaptation and resilience strategies. This is an opportunity for women-led ventures to access targeted support, mentorship, and funding to advance climate innovation and lead impactful change within their communities and beyond.

How to Apply?

Eligible women entrepreneurs must prepare and submit their applications through the official application portal provided by the program organizers. Applicants should ensure all eligibility criteria are met and required documentation is provided. The application should clearly highlight the climate focus, business stage, and growth potential of the startup. Selected applicants will be notified and invited to participate in the accelerator’s 12-month journey of mentorship, networking, and funding opportunities.

Application Deadline

All interested candidates must submit their completed applications by 13 June 2025. Early submissions are encouraged as the selection process is competitive and slots are limited.

Last Date To Apply
The final date to apply for the She Wins Climate Accelerator Program is 13th June 2025. Applications received after this date will not be considered for the upcoming cohort.

Grant Amount
While the specific grant amount is not disclosed, the program provides comprehensive support, including mentorship, networking, exposure to investors, and full coverage of travel and accommodation for in-person events.