Village Capital, in partnership with the Standard Chartered Foundation, has opened applications for the 2026 US Women in Tech Accelerator, the second edition of the programme aimed at strengthening women-led tech startups across the country.
The accelerator, which will run from April to July 2026, is designed to support women founders building tech-enabled, impact-driven solutions that create jobs and advance economic mobility. The initiative comes at a time when the funding gap for women remains significant, with all-women founding teams receiving an average of just 2.4% of venture capital funding over the past three decades.
Programme organisers say the accelerator will help address longstanding barriers by equipping early-stage founders with the guidance and tools needed to grow their businesses.
“We are proud to be partnering with Village Capital to empower entrepreneurs by providing access to the tools and networks they need to innovate and develop themselves as leaders and business owners,” said Mandy DeFilippo, CEO of Standard Chartered US & Americas. “Through this program, early-stage founders receive practical resources, expert advice and mentorship to help them build and scale their businesses, which supports sustainable growth and facilitates longer-term success.”
This year’s cohort will prioritise startups led by women from historically marginalised backgrounds. Village Capital and the Standard Chartered Foundation will focus on businesses that expand access to affordable healthcare, education and professional development, financial resilience and wealth-building, and essential services that improve economic mobility in underserved communities.
Applications for the accelerator close on 16 January 2026, with full eligibility details available on the programme’s website.
Selected startups will gain access to investment-readiness training, tailored development strategies, mentorship from experts, and opportunities to connect with industry leaders. The programme will be delivered through virtual workshops, enabling founders to develop strong business frameworks and strengthen their market approach.
At the end of the accelerator, two startups chosen by their peers will each receive USD 25,000 in grant funding.
All applicants will also be invited to join Abaca, Village Capital’s free online platform that helps entrepreneurs assess their investment readiness and identify relevant capital pathways. The tool includes Capital Explorer, which provides guidance on financing options aligned to founders’ goals, and a Milestone Planner that helps ventures track their progress across Village Capital’s nine Venture Investment Levels.
The 2026 US Women in Tech Accelerator forms part of a wider group of youth and entrepreneurship initiatives supported by the Standard Chartered Foundation across the Americas, including collaborations with Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America and Youth Business International, all aimed at increasing economic inclusion.
