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Program
She Wins Climate

Powering women-led climate innovation in Southeast Asia. (May 2025 – May 2026)

About

Women-led climate startups hold immense potential to develop effective climate solutions. However, these ventures often face significant barriers including gender biases, limited visibility, inadequate support, and insufficient investment needed to scale their innovations and bring impactful solutions to market.

She Wins Climate, a global initiative by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), aimed at accelerating women-led climate startups and increasing their access to climate investment. The Southeast Asia acceleration program, supported by the Government of Canada and the Government of Australia, and delivered in partnership with New Energy Nexus (NEX), is a 12-month program designed to propel 25 promising women climate entrepreneurs in the region to lead the transformation of climate action.

Tailored specifically to address the unique challenges faced by women founders, this program provides comprehensive support to accelerate business growth, unlock investment opportunities, and scale breakthrough climate solutions in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Apply now
Supported by

Program benefits

Get investment-ready
Join a global network
Connect with climate investors
Step into the spotlight
Get investment-ready
  • Gain the confidence and skills to pitch effectively, attract funding, and scale your impact.
  • Participate in one-to-one mentoring sessions, networking and investor panels.
Get investment-ready
Join a global network
Connect with climate investors
Step into the spotlight
Join a global network
  • Become part of a global cohort of women leading climate innovation across Southeast Asia.
  • Access a private peer network for ongoing collaboration, knowledge exchange, and shared opportunities.
Get investment-ready
Join a global network
Connect with climate investors
Step into the spotlight
Connect with climate investors
  • Engage directly with active climate and impact investors through curated introductions, pitch events, and networking forums.
  • Receive tailored support to refine your pitch and build relationships with funders looking to support women entrepreneurs.
Get investment-ready
Join a global network
Connect with climate investors
Step into the spotlight
Step into the spotlight
  • Showcase your startup at global climate forums, innovation summits, and startup exhibitions—with support from NEX, IFC, and partner networks.
  • Boost your visibility through our curated media coverage and PR support.

Who can apply

Participant eligibility

  • Be the founder, co-founder, owner, or executive of the startup
  • Be 21 years or older
  • Identify as a woman
  • Be able to communicate in English

 

Startup eligibility

  • Be women-owned or women-led
  • Be legally registered and operating for at least one year at the time of application
  • Be in the early stages of growth, beyond the ideation phase (pre-seed, seed, or Series A stage)

*Read FAQs below for more details on eligibility criteria.

Apply now

Program timeline

5 May – 13 June 2025

Call for applications

13 June 2025

Application deadline

14 Jun – 24 Jul 2025

Evaluation of applications

30 Jul 2025

Announcement of the cohort

Aug 2025

Virtual kick-off event

Aug 2025 – Feb 2026

Virtual mentoring and learning sessions

Aug/Oct (date tbc)

In-person workshop in Indonesia

Feb – Mar 2026 (date tbc)

In-person investor matching event in Thailand

May 2026

Program ends

FAQs

What defines a women-owned or women-led business?

Your startup needs to be women-owned or women-led with:

– 51% or more ownership by a woman/women

OR

– At least 20% ownership by a woman/women WITH at least 1 woman in a key leadership role (CEO, COO, President, VP, etc.) and at least 30% of the board of directors are women (if a board exists)

What types of climate solutions qualify?

Your startup must focus explicitly on climate change solutions or technologies. Climate change should be central to your mission, strategy, and operations.

Eligible solutions include:

– Greenhouse gas emissions reductions

– Energy efficiency

– Adaptation and resilience

– Circular processes

– Sustainable products or services

– Pollution reduction or prevention

– Conservation, and/or nature-based solutions

Startups with only a minor focus on climate change are not eligible.

Does my startup need to be registered?

Yes, your business must be legally registered and operating for at least one year at the time of application.

Where must my startup be located?

To be eligible, your startup must have the majority of its operations or employees based in one of the following Southeast Asian countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, or Viet Nam.

Startup can be registered in Singapore or Brunei but must have the majority of operations or employees in one of the other 9 countries.

What stage should my startup be in to apply?

Your startup must be in the early stage but beyond the ideation phase—typically targeting pre-seed, seed, or Series A funding. More mature startups may also be considered, as long as they are not yet at the growth or exit stage.

What is the selection process?

Applications are competitively assessed based on eligibility and overall strength compared to other applicants. The process includes:

Initial screening – The implementation team verifies eligibility criteria.

Expert review – A panel of investors, climate experts, and gender specialists evaluate applications based on:

– Climate focus & impact
– Market & innovation
– Social impact
– Financial viability and scalability
– Leadership & gender inclusivity
– Motivation & commitment

Will travel and accommodation costs be covered for in-person events ?

Yes, the program will cover travel and accommodation costs for participants attending in-person events.

Contact us

Write to us at swc.sea@newenergynexus.com Call us at +84 829979499