C3 EmpowerHer Program 2026: USD 150,000 Catalytic Grant Funding for Women-Centered Climate Resilience Startups in MENA

Overview

The C3 EmpowerHer Program is a six-month accelerator designed to support early-stage ventures that are led by women or primarily benefit women across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Delivered by C3 – Companies Creating Change and funded by the Resilient Futures Fund, the program helps climate resilience enterprises strengthen their business models, develop pilots, connect with investors, and become investment-ready. A total of 30 startups will be selected, with the top 10 sharing USD 150,000 in catalytic grant funding.

Benefits

Participation in a six-month hands-on support program running from October 2026 through Demo Day in Q2 2027.
Expert-led training through 8 to 12 virtual workshops organized across five core modules.
Tailored mentorship and strategic guidance from climate, sector, investment, and business development experts.
Access to C3’s ecosystem network of venture capital firms, corporations, development finance institutions, and impact funds.
For the top 10 startups: up to USD 20,000 each in catalytic grant funding for pilots and impact activities, strategic advisory boards, roadmap development, pilot design support, and an in-person Demo Day in Egypt.

Eligibility

Focus Areas: Solutions must address climate resilience—such as water and sanitation, food and agri-climate innovations, heat resilience, coastal and flood adaptation, nature-based solutions, resilient infrastructure, sustainable livelihoods, and climate finance access.
Gender Dimension: The venture must either be women-led or provide a solution where women are the primary beneficiaries, with intentional gender impact incorporated into its approach.
Development Stage: Targeted at early-stage ventures ranging from pre-seed and seed to pre-Series A, featuring a minimum viable product (MVP) and early evidence of traction.
Target Region: Must be headquartered in or primarily operating within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Commitment: Founding teams must be fully prepared to commit time to workshops, mentorship, diagnostics, and program activities over the six-month duration.

How to Apply

Eligible founders can submit their applications online through the official application link. Applicants should prepare detailed information explaining their climate challenge, MVP and traction, gender impact, climate resilience connection, and reason for seeking program support.

Deadline

Applications close on August 31, 2026.

Overview

Benefits

Participation in a six-month hands-on support program running from October 2026 through Demo Day in Q2 2027.

Expert-led training through 8 to 12 virtual workshops organized across five core modules.

Tailored mentorship and strategic guidance from climate, sector, investment, and business development experts.

Access to C3’s ecosystem network of venture capital firms, corporations, development finance institutions, and impact funds.

For the top 10 startups: up to USD 20,000 each in catalytic grant funding for pilots and impact activities, strategic advisory boards, roadmap development, pilot design support, and an in-person Demo Day in Egypt.

Eligibility

Focus Areas: Solutions must address climate resilience—such as water and sanitation, food and agri-climate innovations, heat resilience, coastal and flood adaptation, nature-based solutions, resilient infrastructure, sustainable livelihoods, and climate finance access.

Gender Dimension: The venture must either be women-led or provide a solution where women are the primary beneficiaries, with intentional gender impact incorporated into its approach.

Development Stage: Targeted at early-stage ventures ranging from pre-seed and seed to pre-Series A, featuring a minimum viable product (MVP) and early evidence of traction.

Target Region: Must be headquartered in or primarily operating within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Commitment: Founding teams must be fully prepared to commit time to workshops, mentorship, diagnostics, and program activities over the six-month duration.