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.

AI and Technology Solutions for Women's Livelihoods (2026)

Grant providers

Provider

Gates Foundation

Seattle · Washington · United States

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…

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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.
Open draft workspace
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.

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.

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