Top 25 Startup Competitions for Female Entrepreneurs in 2025
As the entrepreneurial landscape continues to evolve, 2025 promises to be a pivotal year for female founders. With a variety of competitions designed to empower and support women in business, this list provides a comprehensive guide to the top 25 startup competitions for female entrepreneurs. Whether you are launching a tech startup, a social enterprise, or any innovative venture, there's something for everyone.
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1. Female Founder Challenge 2025
Focus: Supporting women-led startups with disruptive technologies.
Details: This initiative emphasizes innovation, providing mentorship, networking, and funding opportunities to women entrepreneurs.
Eligibility: Open to women leading innovative startups.
Benefits: Access to funding, mentorship from industry leaders, and connections with other female founders.
Application Process: Visit the official application link and fill out the form detailing your startup and role.
2. AIM-HI Women’s Venture Competition 2025
Focus: Women-led oncology companies worldwide.
Details: This competition consists of three main components: general info submission, business plan presentation, and a video pitch.
Eligibility: Open to women-led oncology companies globally.
Benefits: Opportunities for investment following a thorough due diligence process.
Application Process: Submit general information, a business plan presentation, and a video.
Deadline: March 15, 2025
Link: Learn More
3. Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition
Focus: US-based businesses started by women.
Details: In its 13th year, this competition allows female founders to pitch their businesses in person for grants and mentorship.
Eligibility: Businesses must be US-based, majority woman-owned, and have raised no more than $750,000 in outside funding.
Benefits: $25,000 grants, pitch coaching, financial mentoring, and valuable connections.
Application Period: April 1 - May 31, 2025
Link: Discover More
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4. Amber Grant Foundation
Focus: Women-owned small businesses in the US and Canada.
Details: This foundation distributes multiple $10,000 grants each month, along with three $25,000 grants at year-end.
Eligibility: Must be at least 50% woman-owned and operate in the U.S. or Canada. Applicants must be at least 18.
Benefits: Monthly $10,000 grants and annual $25,000 grants.
Application Process: Visit the site for details.
Link: More Information and Further Details
5. HerRise MicroGrant
Focus: Women-owned small businesses, especially women of color.
Details: Provides $1,000 monthly grants for smaller business projects.
Eligibility: Business must be 51% women-owned, registered in the U.S., and have gross revenue not exceeding $1 million.
Benefits: Monthly grants for various business needs.
Link: Find Out More
6. SCORE Women’s Pitch Contest
Focus: Women-led businesses.
Details: A pitch competition offering cash prizes and mentorship opportunities.
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs seeking funding for their businesses.
Benefits: $35,000 in cash prizes, business skills training, and one-on-one mentorship.
Event Date: Winners will be featured at the Washington Small Business Awards Gala on May 7, 2025.
Link: Learn More
7. EmpowHER Grants (Boundless Futures Foundation)
Focus: Female small-business owners addressing societal issues.
Details: Grants awarded up to $25,000 as reimbursement for business expenses.
Eligibility: Female small-business owners at least 22 years old, established within the last three years, addressing issues like poverty or sustainability.
Benefits: Up to $25,000 in grants.
Application Deadline: February 15, 2025 (quarterly basis).
Link: Explore Further and More Info
8. She's Connected Grant (AT&T)
Focus: Women entrepreneurs in the US.
Details: Provides $50,000 grants and resources to women entrepreneurs.
Eligibility: Must be U.S. residents, majority owners of small businesses with no more than 50 employees.
Benefits: $50,000 grants and additional resources.
Application Process: Compose an essay detailing business mission and alignment with AT&T's values.
Link: Learn More
9. WomanUp & Pitch Competition (Michigan Women Forward)
Focus: Women-owned businesses in Michigan.
Details: A competition with categories for both startup and established businesses held across various regions.
Eligibility: Women-owned businesses within Michigan.
Benefits: First place prize of $10,000, second place $5,000, third place $2,500, and audience choice of $1,000.
Competition Dates: Feb-April 2025
Link: Visit Here
10. Global Female Entrepreneurs Summit 2025
Focus: Female startup founders and entrepreneurs globally.
Details: A virtual summit offering practical solutions for business growth and networking.
Eligibility: Female founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and executives.
Benefits: Access to sessions, masterclasses, and panel discussions.
Event Dates: February 20-21, 2025
Link: Find Out More
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11. BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program
Focus: Small businesses that are at least 51% women-owned.
Eligibility: Must have been in operation for at least two years and annual revenue not exceeding $5 million.
Details: Application information for 2025 pending.
Link: More Information
12. IFundWomen Grants
Focus: Women entrepreneurs seeking business training and grant opportunities.
Details: Partners with corporate collaborators to connect with grants.
Link: Learn More
13. KPMG Female Founders in Africa Competition
Focus: Female founders in Africa looking to grow their businesses.
Link: Discover More
14. DMZ's Women Innovation Summit
Focus: Canadian-based competition for women tech founders.
Details: Offers investment opportunities for participants.
Link: More Info
15. Web Summit PITCH (Lisbon)
Focus: Global startup competition.
Details: An excellent opportunity for female founders to gain international exposure.
Link: Learn More
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16. Aurora Tech Award
Focus: Recognizing innovative female founders in underserved communities.
Link: Discover More
17. InnovateHER Challenge
Focus: Female entrepreneurs developing innovations that benefit women.
Details: This competition focuses on empowering women through technology and business.
Benefits: Cash prizes and mentorship.
Link: Explore
18. Startup World Cup Women’s Edition
Focus: Global pitch competition for female founders.
Details: Participants pitch for a chance to win investment opportunities and networking connections.
Link: Find Out More
19. Femmepreneur Pitch Competition
Focus: Women entrepreneurs in various industries.
Details: Participants pitch their business ideas for a chance to win funding and support.
Link: Learn More
20. Women in Tech Challenge
Focus: Women-led tech startups.
Details: Offers resources, funding, and mentorship specifically for female tech entrepreneurs.
Link: More Information
21. Girlboss Rally Pitch Competition
Focus: Empowering women in business.
Details: An opportunity for female entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses to an audience of peers and experts.
Link: Visit Here
22. Her Venture Challenge
Focus: Female-led startups focusing on sustainability and social impact.
Details: Cash prizes and mentorship provided for winners.
Link: Find Out More
23. Women Start-up Competition
Focus: Business and tech startups led by women.
Details: Winners are awarded cash grants and business mentorship.
Link: Learn More
24. TechWomen Summit
Focus: Women in technology and innovation.
Details: Participants engage in pitch sessions for funding opportunities and networking.
Link: Discover More
25. Seed Spot Women’s Accelerator Program
Focus: Social entrepreneurs focused on impactful initiatives.
Details: Offers guidance, mentorship, and funding opportunities through a tailored accelerator.
Link: Explore Here
As 2025 unfolds, these competitions offer invaluable opportunities for female entrepreneurs to gain recognition, funding, and the support necessary to elevate their businesses.
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FAQ
Q: What competition supports women-led startups with disruptive technologies?
A: Female Founder Challenge 2025 provides networking, mentorship, and funding opportunities for women leading innovative startups. Learn more about the Female Founder Challenge.
Q: Is there a competition specifically for women-led oncology companies?
A: Yes, the AIM-HI Women's Venture Competition 2025 focuses on women-led oncology companies and includes a business plan presentation and a video pitch. Find out more about the AIM-HI Women's Venture Competition.
Q: Where can US-based female entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to receive grants?
A: The Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition allows US-based female founders to pitch their businesses for a chance to win grants and mentorship. Discover the Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition.
Q: What grants does the Amber Grant Foundation offer?
A: The Amber Grant Foundation provides multiple $10,000 grants each month to women-owned small businesses in the U.S. and Canada, as well as three $25,000 year-end grants. Learn more about the Amber Grant Foundation.
Q: Does the HerRise MicroGrant focus on a specific demographic?
A: Yes, the HerRise MicroGrant specifically supports women-owned small businesses, with an emphasis on women of color, offering $1,000 monthly grants. Find out more about HerRise MicroGrant.
Q: What are the benefits of the SCORE Women's Pitch Contest?
A: The SCORE Women's Pitch Contest offers $35,000 in cash prizes, business skills training, and mentorship opportunities to women entrepreneurs. Explore the SCORE Women's Pitch Contest.
Q: How can female small-business owners apply for the EmpowHER Grants?
A: Female small-business owners addressing societal issues can apply for EmpowHER Grants with potential reimbursements of up to $25,000. Learn more about EmpowHER Grants.
Q: What is the She's Connected Grant?
A: The She's Connected Grant from AT&T offers $50,000 grants and resources to women entrepreneurs in the U.S. Discover the She's Connected Grant.
Q: What are the benefits of participating in the WomanUp & Pitch Competition?
A: WomanUp & Pitch Competition offers significant cash prizes to women-owned businesses in Michigan, with prizes of up to $10,000 for first place. Learn more about the WomanUp & Pitch Competition.
Q: How does the Global Female Entrepreneurs Summit 2025 support female startup founders?
A: The Global Female Entrepreneurs Summit provides networking opportunities, keynote sessions, and pitch competitions for female founders and entrepreneurs globally. Find out more about the Global Female Entrepreneurs Summit.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
