Standard Chartered Botswana has concluded the second edition of its Women in Tech (WiT) Accelerator Programme, awarding more than P700,000 in equity-free seed funding to six women-led enterprises.
The programme, run in partnership with the Dream Factory Foundation, aims to support female entrepreneurs using technology to scale their businesses.
The 2025 cohort underwent a five-month training and mentorship process before presenting their ventures at the final pitch event. Sectors represented included agriculture, digital services, logistics, fashion and event technology.
Standard Chartered Botswana CEO Mpho Masupe, speaking at the graduation ceremony, said the initiative is designed to strengthen the SME sector through increased access to coaching, networks and early-stage funding. Masupe noted that the programme is part of the bank’s global Futuremakers youth economic inclusion initiative.
The Sustainability and Growth Award went to Ticket Linc, an online ticketing company founded by Kelly Ramputswa-Tlale, which received P210,000. Spring Blossom, a horticulture enterprise using solar-powered irrigation systems, won the Innovation Award and P140,000. Webmart, a digital services provider, won the Technology Award, also receiving P140,000. Other winners included Sediba Agtech (Best Pitch), Africa Pork (Pay-It-Forward Award) and Maru (Most Impactful Enterprise), each receiving P70,000.
According to programme data shared at the event, the initiative has supported 35 businesses since its launch. Participating enterprises have collectively gained over 8,292 new customers, generated more than P5 million in annual revenue, and mentored 102 young people through skills-transfer activities.
Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Hon. Baratiwa Mathoothe, who officiated the event, said the WiT programme aligns with the National Entrepreneurship Policy’s focus on supporting women-led enterprises and strengthening SME competitiveness. She referred to recent indicators showing Botswana’s high levels of female entrepreneurial participation, while noting that business sustainability remains a national challenge.
Mathoothe described the WiT programme as an example of private-sector support for innovation and called for more collaboration to improve access to finance, networks and technology for entrepreneurs.
The graduation marked the close of the programme’s second year, with Standard Chartered confirming its intention to continue supporting digital and innovation-driven enterprises.