AI and Technology Solutions for Women's Livelihoods
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Quick Answer
Grant program backing AI and technology solutions that improve income, capital access, and market linkages for women workers and micro-entrepreneurs in agriculture, informal work, the gig economy, and care services.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Gates Foundation
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- International
About this grant
This program invites applications from startups building scalable, high-impact AI and technology-enabled solutions that strengthen women’s livelihoods in India. The initiative focuses on improving income growth, access to capital, and market linkages for women workers and micro-entrepreneurs operating in sectors where livelihoods remain fragile and impact at scale is critical.
The program specifically supports innovations targeting women in agriculture, informal work, the gig economy, and care services. Selected startups receive comprehensive support beyond funding, including long-term mentoring, access to markets, partnerships with large-scale delivery players, and opportunities to pilot and scale solutions across underserved and low-income geographies.
By combining financial support with ecosystem access and implementation partnerships, the program aims to enable startups to deploy proven, technology-driven solutions that can meaningfully improve economic participation and resilience for women at scale.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, commonly known as the Gates Foundation, is the world's largest private charitable foundation. Established in 2000 by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, the foundation is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. It focuses on reducing global…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
Selected startups receive financial support and comprehensive non-monetary aid. This includes long-term mentoring, access to markets, partnerships with large-scale delivery players, and opportunities to pilot and scale solutions across underserved geographies.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
Applications are assessed for alignment with the program's focus on AI and technology solutions that improve income, capital access, or market linkages for women. Shortlisted startups are evaluated on scalability, measurable impact, and relevance to underserved geographies. Selected ventures receive financial support alongside mentoring, market access, and implementation partnerships.
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 3
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to the AI and Technology Solutions for Women''s Livelihoods programme?
Startups developing AI or technology-enabled solutions that support women workers and micro-entrepreneurs in India are eligible. Solutions must target income growth, access to capital, market linkages, or livelihood resilience in sectors such as agriculture, informal work, the gig economy, or care services.
Is the funding equity-free?
Yes. This is a grant programme — no equity is taken and the funding does not need to be repaid.
What is the grant amount?
The programme description does not specify a fixed grant amount. Selected startups receive financial support alongside substantial non-monetary support. Contact the Gates Foundation programme team or apply via the Typeform link to get details on the current round''s funding quantum.
Does my startup need to be operational with users or can pre-revenue startups apply?
Applicants should demonstrate scalability potential and measurable impact. While the programme does not explicitly bar early-stage startups, stronger applications will show a working solution with demonstrated traction or clear evidence of real-world effectiveness.
What non-monetary support is provided?
Selected startups receive long-term mentoring, access to large-scale delivery partners, market linkages, and opportunities to pilot and scale solutions across underserved and low-income geographies in India.
Are startups outside India eligible?
The programme focuses on improving livelihoods for women in India, targeting Indian geographies. While not explicitly limited to India-registered startups, the solution must be directly applicable and deployable in India.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
News
- Gates Foundation Shifts Strategy to Focus on AI Anti Poverty Effortssuaragarut.id · 2 weeks ago
- Gates Foundation to work with India to strengthen AI farm tools, explore models for Asia, Africa: CEOaninews.in · last month
- Reliance Foundation, Gates Foundation advance scalable solutions for one million women; announce first-round winners of 'SheConnects Digital Accelerator: India'aninews.in · 2 months ago
Source: Google News aggregated
