These Terms and Conditions :

1-   Eligibility Criteria

  • The applicant must be a female founder, co-founder, or executive leader actively involved in the submitted project.
  • The project must operate within:
    • FinTech (Financial Technology)
    • Digital Innovation
  • The startup must be registered or operating in any country within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
  • Projects must be in an active development stage (MVP, beta, or early traction).
  • Applicants must submit a complete application package including:
    • Pitch Deck
    • Team profile
    • Business Model
    • Growth Strategy
  • All required documents must be submitted before the application

2-   Participation Rules

  • Eligible entities include women-led startups (minimum 51% women leadership) or projects founded and managed by women.
  • Individual applications are accepted if the project demonstrates clear potential and a viable development plan.
  • Resubmissions are allowed only if the project shows significant advancement or updates.
  • Projects involving illegal activities or violating ethical or professional standards are strictly prohibited.

3- Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the following internationally recognized criteria:

  • Innovation
    • Novelty, creativity, and the ability to solve a real 2-Scalability
    • Potential for regional or global
  • Financial Viability
    • Strength and clarity of the business 4-Social & Economic Impact
    • Contribution to women’s empowerment, community benefit, or sector
  • Team Strength
    • Experience, execution capability, and commitment of the founding

4-   Competition Stages

  • Online application submission
  • Screening and selection of shortlisted startups
  • Interviews and detailed evaluation
  • Final Pitch Day in front of the judging panel
  • Announcement of winning companies at the closing ceremony of CEO Women 2026 – Cairo

5-   Awards

The competition offers total awards of USD 120,000, distributed as follows:

  • USD 50,000 in financial support
  • USD 70,000 in technical support and development services

Awards will be granted to the winning companies based on the decision of the judging panel.

6-   Rights of the Organizing Entity

  • CEO Women reserves the right to amend or update the competition terms at any time.
  • The judging panel may request additional information from applicants when necessary.
  • CEO Women reserves the right to share non-confidential project information with evaluation partners.
  • Judging decisions are final and not subject to

7-   Obligations of Participants

  • Applicants must attend all required activities (training, workshops, evaluations).
  • Finalists must present their project in person during Pitch
  • Participants must consent to the use of photos and video recordings for promotional purposes.
  • Awarded support (financial or technical) must be used solely for the project’s development and growth.


Hosted By : CEO WOMEN – MENA