Top 20 Startup Programs for Women in 2025
The startup ecosystem in 2025 is thriving, with numerous programs designed to empower women entrepreneurs.
These programs offer mentorship, funding, and access to networks, ensuring startups are well-prepared to attract investment and scale.
The startup ecosystem in 2025 is thriving, with numerous programs designed to empower women entrepreneurs.
These programs offer mentorship, funding, and access to networks, ensuring startups are well-prepared to attract investment and scale.
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Below is a detailed look at the top 20 startup programs for women in 2025, including the innovative Fe/male Switch program.
Y Combinator
Best For: Early-stage startups seeking global recognition and funding.
Features: Y Combinator provides $500,000 in seed funding in exchange for 7% equity. Startups gain access to a vast network of alumni and investors, along with mentorship and resources to scale their businesses.
Success Stories: Notable alumni include Airbnb, Dropbox, and Stripe, which have collectively raised billions in funding and achieved unicorn status.
Learn more about Y Combinator.
Fe/male Switch
Best For: Aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, looking to build investor-ready startups.
Features: Fe/male Switch offers a gamified startup simulator where participants can earn tokens to fund their ventures. The program connects participants with investors and mentors, providing practical skills and mentorship opportunities.
Funding Opportunities: Participants can earn tokens to fund their startups and access premium features starting at €2.5/month.
Success Stories: Participants have launched successful startups, with some securing seed funding and partnerships. The program’s focus on practical skills and mentorship has been praised for its effectiveness.
Explore Fe/male Switch.
Techstars
Best For: Startups seeking mentorship-driven acceleration.
Features: Techstars provides $120,000 in funding for 6% equity, along with access to a global network of mentors and investors. The program includes a 13-week accelerator with intensive mentorship and workshops.
Success Stories: Alumni include ClassPass and SendGrid, which have achieved significant growth and successful exits.
Discover Techstars.
500 Startups
Best For: Diverse startups looking for global exposure.
Features: 500 Startups offers $150,000 in funding for 6% equity, along with access to a network of over 10,000 founders and investors. The program focuses on growth hacking, fundraising, and scaling globally.
Success Stories: Notable alumni include Credit Karma and Canva, which have become household names in their respective industries.
Visit 500 Startups.
Seedcamp
Best For: European startups seeking early-stage funding.
Features: Seedcamp provides €100,000 in funding for 7.5% equity, along with mentorship and access to a network of investors. The program focuses on helping startups scale across Europe.
Success Stories: Alumni include TransferWise (now Wise) and Revolut, which have revolutionized the fintech industry.
Learn more about Seedcamp.
Startupbootcamp
Best For: Industry-specific startups looking for tailored support.
Features: Startupbootcamp offers €15,000 in funding for 6% equity, along with access to industry-specific mentors and investors. The program includes a 3-month accelerator with a focus on scaling in specific sectors.
Success Stories: Alumni include ParkBee and Sensative, which have secured significant follow-on funding.
Explore Startupbootcamp.
MassChallenge
Best For: Startups seeking a non-equity-based accelerator.
Features: MassChallenge offers up to $1 million in equity-free grants, along with mentorship and access to a global network. The program is open to startups across all industries.
Success Stories: Alumni include Ginkgo Bioworks and Turo, which have achieved significant growth and funding.
Visit MassChallenge.
Plug and Play Tech Center
Best For: Startups looking for corporate partnerships.
Features: Plug and Play provides access to a network of corporate partners and investors, with potential funding opportunities. The program focuses on connecting startups with industry leaders.
Success Stories: Alumni include PayPal and Dropbox, which have become industry leaders.
Discover Plug and Play.
Founders Factory
Best For: Startups seeking co-creation opportunities with corporates.
Features: Founders Factory offers £30,000 in funding for 6% equity, along with access to corporate partners and investors. The program focuses on co-creating solutions with established companies.
Success Stories: Alumni include Zyper and Aztec, which have secured significant funding and partnerships.
Learn more about Founders Factory.
Antler
Best For: Pre-seed startups looking for co-founder matching.
Features: Antler provides up to $100,000 in funding for 10% equity, along with co-founder matching and mentorship. The program focuses on building strong teams from the ground up.
Success Stories: Alumni include Sampingan and Xailient, which have achieved rapid growth and funding.
Explore Antler.
Halo Incubator
Best For: Female tech founders seeking mentorship and funding.
Features: Halo Incubator offers a supportive environment for women-led startups, providing mentorship from experienced female entrepreneurs, access to funding, and networking opportunities with investors.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have secured significant funding and partnerships, with many achieving rapid growth in the tech sector.
Visit Halo Incubator.
Women Who Tech Accelerator
Best For: Women-led startups in tech and social impact sectors.
Features: This accelerator provides mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to a global network of investors. The program includes workshops, pitch coaching, and Demo Day presentations.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have raised millions in funding and made significant social impacts.
Learn more about Women Who Tech.
Emerge Americas Accelerator
Best For: Latin American female entrepreneurs seeking global exposure.
Features: Emerge Americas offers mentorship, funding, and access to a network of investors and corporates. The program focuses on scaling startups in Latin America and connecting them with international markets.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have expanded globally and secured partnerships with major corporations.
Explore Emerge Americas.
The Refinery
Best For: Female founders in fintech and enterprise tech.
Features: The Refinery provides mentorship, access to investors, and tailored support for scaling startups. The program includes workshops, pitch coaching, and networking events.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have achieved unicorn status and secured significant follow-on funding.
Visit The Refinery.
Springboard Enterprises
Best For: Women-led startups in tech and life sciences.
Features: Springboard offers mentorship, access to investors, and a robust alumni network. The program focuses on helping startups scale and secure funding.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have raised over $1 billion in funding and achieved significant growth.
Discover Springboard Enterprises.
Female Founders Fund Accelerator
Best For: Early-stage female founders in tech.
Features: This accelerator provides mentorship, funding, and access to a network of investors. The program includes workshops, pitch coaching, and Demo Day presentations.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have secured significant funding and partnerships with major tech companies.
Learn more about Female Founders Fund.
Womensphere Accelerator
Best For: Women-led startups in tech, media, and social impact.
Features: Womensphere offers mentorship, funding, and access to a global network of investors. The program focuses on scaling startups and connecting them with international markets.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have expanded globally and made significant social impacts.
Explore Womensphere.
SheEO Activator
Best For: Women-led startups in social impact and sustainability.
Features: SheEO provides mentorship, funding, and access to a network of investors. The program focuses on helping startups scale and achieve social impact.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have raised significant funding and made meaningful contributions to sustainability.
Visit SheEO.
Women’s Startup Lab
Best For: Female founders in tech and innovation.
Features: Women’s Startup Lab offers mentorship, funding, and access to a network of investors. The program includes workshops, pitch coaching, and networking events.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have achieved rapid growth and secured significant funding.
Learn more about Women’s Startup Lab.
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Program
Best For: Women entrepreneurs seeking business education and networking.
Features: This program provides business education, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Participants gain insights into business strategy, financial management, and more.
Success Stories: Alumni have reported significant business growth and access to global networks.
Explore Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women.
Y Combinator
Best For: Early-stage startups seeking global recognition and funding.
Features: Y Combinator provides $500,000 in seed funding in exchange for 7% equity. Startups gain access to a vast network of alumni and investors, along with mentorship and resources to scale their businesses.
Success Stories: Notable alumni include Airbnb, Dropbox, and Stripe, which have collectively raised billions in funding and achieved unicorn status.
Learn more about Y Combinator.
Fe/male Switch
Best For: Aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, looking to build investor-ready startups.
Features: Fe/male Switch offers a gamified startup simulator where participants can earn tokens to fund their ventures. The program connects participants with investors and mentors, providing practical skills and mentorship opportunities.
Funding Opportunities: Participants can earn tokens to fund their startups and access premium features starting at €2.5/month.
Success Stories: Participants have launched successful startups, with some securing seed funding and partnerships. The program’s focus on practical skills and mentorship has been praised for its effectiveness.
Explore Fe/male Switch.
Techstars
Best For: Startups seeking mentorship-driven acceleration.
Features: Techstars provides $120,000 in funding for 6% equity, along with access to a global network of mentors and investors. The program includes a 13-week accelerator with intensive mentorship and workshops.
Success Stories: Alumni include ClassPass and SendGrid, which have achieved significant growth and successful exits.
Discover Techstars.
500 Startups
Best For: Diverse startups looking for global exposure.
Features: 500 Startups offers $150,000 in funding for 6% equity, along with access to a network of over 10,000 founders and investors. The program focuses on growth hacking, fundraising, and scaling globally.
Success Stories: Notable alumni include Credit Karma and Canva, which have become household names in their respective industries.
Visit 500 Startups.
Seedcamp
Best For: European startups seeking early-stage funding.
Features: Seedcamp provides €100,000 in funding for 7.5% equity, along with mentorship and access to a network of investors. The program focuses on helping startups scale across Europe.
Success Stories: Alumni include TransferWise (now Wise) and Revolut, which have revolutionized the fintech industry.
Learn more about Seedcamp.
Startupbootcamp
Best For: Industry-specific startups looking for tailored support.
Features: Startupbootcamp offers €15,000 in funding for 6% equity, along with access to industry-specific mentors and investors. The program includes a 3-month accelerator with a focus on scaling in specific sectors.
Success Stories: Alumni include ParkBee and Sensative, which have secured significant follow-on funding.
Explore Startupbootcamp.
MassChallenge
Best For: Startups seeking a non-equity-based accelerator.
Features: MassChallenge offers up to $1 million in equity-free grants, along with mentorship and access to a global network. The program is open to startups across all industries.
Success Stories: Alumni include Ginkgo Bioworks and Turo, which have achieved significant growth and funding.
Visit MassChallenge.
Plug and Play Tech Center
Best For: Startups looking for corporate partnerships.
Features: Plug and Play provides access to a network of corporate partners and investors, with potential funding opportunities. The program focuses on connecting startups with industry leaders.
Success Stories: Alumni include PayPal and Dropbox, which have become industry leaders.
Discover Plug and Play.
Founders Factory
Best For: Startups seeking co-creation opportunities with corporates.
Features: Founders Factory offers £30,000 in funding for 6% equity, along with access to corporate partners and investors. The program focuses on co-creating solutions with established companies.
Success Stories: Alumni include Zyper and Aztec, which have secured significant funding and partnerships.
Learn more about Founders Factory.
Antler
Best For: Pre-seed startups looking for co-founder matching.
Features: Antler provides up to $100,000 in funding for 10% equity, along with co-founder matching and mentorship. The program focuses on building strong teams from the ground up.
Success Stories: Alumni include Sampingan and Xailient, which have achieved rapid growth and funding.
Explore Antler.
Halo Incubator
Best For: Female tech founders seeking mentorship and funding.
Features: Halo Incubator offers a supportive environment for women-led startups, providing mentorship from experienced female entrepreneurs, access to funding, and networking opportunities with investors.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have secured significant funding and partnerships, with many achieving rapid growth in the tech sector.
Visit Halo Incubator.
Women Who Tech Accelerator
Best For: Women-led startups in tech and social impact sectors.
Features: This accelerator provides mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to a global network of investors. The program includes workshops, pitch coaching, and Demo Day presentations.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have raised millions in funding and made significant social impacts.
Learn more about Women Who Tech.
Emerge Americas Accelerator
Best For: Latin American female entrepreneurs seeking global exposure.
Features: Emerge Americas offers mentorship, funding, and access to a network of investors and corporates. The program focuses on scaling startups in Latin America and connecting them with international markets.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have expanded globally and secured partnerships with major corporations.
Explore Emerge Americas.
The Refinery
Best For: Female founders in fintech and enterprise tech.
Features: The Refinery provides mentorship, access to investors, and tailored support for scaling startups. The program includes workshops, pitch coaching, and networking events.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have achieved unicorn status and secured significant follow-on funding.
Visit The Refinery.
Springboard Enterprises
Best For: Women-led startups in tech and life sciences.
Features: Springboard offers mentorship, access to investors, and a robust alumni network. The program focuses on helping startups scale and secure funding.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have raised over $1 billion in funding and achieved significant growth.
Discover Springboard Enterprises.
Female Founders Fund Accelerator
Best For: Early-stage female founders in tech.
Features: This accelerator provides mentorship, funding, and access to a network of investors. The program includes workshops, pitch coaching, and Demo Day presentations.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have secured significant funding and partnerships with major tech companies.
Learn more about Female Founders Fund.
Womensphere Accelerator
Best For: Women-led startups in tech, media, and social impact.
Features: Womensphere offers mentorship, funding, and access to a global network of investors. The program focuses on scaling startups and connecting them with international markets.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have expanded globally and made significant social impacts.
Explore Womensphere.
SheEO Activator
Best For: Women-led startups in social impact and sustainability.
Features: SheEO provides mentorship, funding, and access to a network of investors. The program focuses on helping startups scale and achieve social impact.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have raised significant funding and made meaningful contributions to sustainability.
Visit SheEO.
Women’s Startup Lab
Best For: Female founders in tech and innovation.
Features: Women’s Startup Lab offers mentorship, funding, and access to a network of investors. The program includes workshops, pitch coaching, and networking events.
Success Stories: Alumni include startups that have achieved rapid growth and secured significant funding.
Learn more about Women’s Startup Lab.
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Program
Best For: Women entrepreneurs seeking business education and networking.
Features: This program provides business education, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Participants gain insights into business strategy, financial management, and more.
Success Stories: Alumni have reported significant business growth and access to global networks.
Explore Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women.
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FAQ
What is the best program for women entrepreneurs in 2025?
Fe/male Switch is highly recommended for its focus on women entrepreneurs, offering gamified learning and mentorship. Learn more about Fe/male Switch.
Can I get funding without giving up equity?
Yes, MassChallenge offers equity-free grants and funding opportunities. Discover MassChallenge.
What is the funding model for Y Combinator?
Y Combinator provides $500,000 in seed funding for 7% equity. Visit Y Combinator.
How does Fe/male Switch help startups become investor-ready?
Fe/male Switch offers a gamified startup simulator, mentorship, and access to investors, helping participants build investor-ready businesses. Explore Fe/male Switch.
Are there programs for industry-specific startups?
Yes, Startupbootcamp offers tailored support for industry-specific startups. Visit Startupbootcamp.
What is the success rate of Techstars alumni?
Techstars alumni have a high success rate, with many achieving significant growth and funding. Learn more about Techstars.
Can I join multiple accelerator programs?
Absolutely! Many entrepreneurs use multiple platforms to maximize their opportunities.
What makes Seedcamp unique?
Seedcamp focuses on European startups and provides early-stage funding and mentorship. Discover Seedcamp.
Does Plug and Play take equity?
Yes, Plug and Play takes equity in exchange for funding and access to its network. Visit Plug and Play.
How does Antler help startups find co-founders?
Antler offers co-founder matching, helping startups build strong teams from the ground up. Explore Antler.
What is the best program for women entrepreneurs in 2025?
Fe/male Switch is highly recommended for its focus on women entrepreneurs, offering gamified learning and mentorship. Learn more about Fe/male Switch.
Can I get funding without giving up equity?
Yes, MassChallenge offers equity-free grants and funding opportunities. Discover MassChallenge.
What is the funding model for Y Combinator?
Y Combinator provides $500,000 in seed funding for 7% equity. Visit Y Combinator.
How does Fe/male Switch help startups become investor-ready?
Fe/male Switch offers a gamified startup simulator, mentorship, and access to investors, helping participants build investor-ready businesses. Explore Fe/male Switch.
Are there programs for industry-specific startups?
Yes, Startupbootcamp offers tailored support for industry-specific startups. Visit Startupbootcamp.
What is the success rate of Techstars alumni?
Techstars alumni have a high success rate, with many achieving significant growth and funding. Learn more about Techstars.
Can I join multiple accelerator programs?
Absolutely! Many entrepreneurs use multiple platforms to maximize their opportunities.
What makes Seedcamp unique?
Seedcamp focuses on European startups and provides early-stage funding and mentorship. Discover Seedcamp.
Does Plug and Play take equity?
Yes, Plug and Play takes equity in exchange for funding and access to its network. Visit Plug and Play.
How does Antler help startups find co-founders?
Antler offers co-founder matching, helping startups build strong teams from the ground up. Explore Antler.
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