Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award
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Quick Answer
€25,000 (about ₹27 lakh) non-dilutive prize and a six-month accelerator for women-led health and food-security ventures in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. 2026 round closed.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Bayer Foundation
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 14 April 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Bayer Foundation. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
The 2026 round of the Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award is closed. Applications ran from 2 March to 13 April 2026, with the deadline at 23:59 CEST on 13 April. The official site says applications for the next round open soon and offers a waiting list, so join it if you want to hear first.
The award is a six-month global accelerator for women founders whose ventures already work in health or food security. It is run by the Bayer Foundation, based in Germany, and powered by the Impact Hub Network. Each year it selects 15 ventures, five each from Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Winners in 2026 came from nine countries, including India. This page explains how the 2026 round worked so you can prepare early.
What the award offers
Each awardee receives €25,000 (about ₹27 lakh) in non-dilutive funding, meaning you give up no ownership. The money can be used flexibly for growth. No further direct investment is provided, but the programme aims to build investor readiness and connect awardees to investors.
The six-month accelerator gives each awardee an onboarding interview and baseline survey, a business advisor for regular one-to-one sessions, and at least one group session a month on business and growth planning, financial planning, funding routes and pitching. The time commitment is at least four hours a month. Awardees also get a sponsored trip to Amsterdam for Awardee Days and the Award Ceremony (26 to 30 October 2026), covering international travel, insurance, accommodation, visas and a daily allowance. They also receive storytelling and media visibility, and join an alumni community and the Impact Hub Network.
Who can apply
Applicants must be a woman founder, co-founder or senior leader with decision-making power. The venture must be operating beyond the idea phase and work in health or food security, with measurable impact for low- and middle-income communities in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Annual revenue of up to US$1 million is expected, though ventures not yet at break-even can apply with strong evidence of growing revenue and demand. The organisation must have been incorporated on or before 1 January 2025.
Social enterprises (for-profit with a social or environmental mission) and hybrid models can apply. Non-profits can apply only with a clear plan to launch a for-profit entity within 12 to 24 months. Registered charities and sole traders are not eligible. Indian ventures are eligible, as Asia is one of the four regions. In-person attendance in Amsterdam is a core part of the award.
Focus areas
- Health: cardiovascular health, women's health across the life cycle, oncology, healthcare payment and insurance options, and community health workers with digital health infrastructure.
- Food security: reducing food waste and malnutrition, fair markets and pricing, smallholder farmer productivity, and water justice and sanitation.
How to apply
Apply online during the window. Share your venture, impact, traction and growth plans in your chosen area. A practical tip: have your incorporation papers, revenue figures and impact numbers ready, because the incorporation date and the revenue band are firm tests.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Bayer Foundation, Impact Hub and external experts review the applications. The top 30 finalists pitch online to a jury in June, and 15 are selected, five per region. The jury includes representatives of the Bayer Foundation, the Impact Hub Network and partner organisations. Strong applications show traction, a strong team, a plan to scale impact and why the programme fits now. The accelerator runs from June to November.
About the organisers
The Bayer Foundation supports solutions in health and food security and co-runs the award. The Impact Hub Network is a global entrepreneurial ecosystem with more than 100 locations, offering local support, expert guidance and community for founders. Both aim to foster women-led innovation.
Things to check before you apply
- The incorporation date is a hard test; for 2026 it was on or before 1 January 2025, so confirm the date for the next round.
- Plan to travel to Amsterdam; check that your passport and visa timing work.
- Idea-stage concepts, registered charities and sole traders are not eligible.
- Questions can be sent through the contact details on the site, which promises a reply within three business days.
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
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
What You Get
Each of the 15 awardees receives a €25,000 cash prize (about ₹27 lakh) in non-dilutive funding that can be used flexibly to grow the business. The six-month accelerator matches each founder with a business advisor for regular one-to-one sessions and at least monthly group sessions on growth and financial planning, funding pathways, and pitching. The sponsored trip to Amsterdam covers international travel, travel insurance, accommodation, visa costs, event catering and a daily allowance of €35. The programme gives no further direct investment.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Cohort size
- 15 startups
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Bayer Foundation, Impact Hub and external experts review applications. The top 30 finalists pitch online to a jury in June, and 15 awardees are chosen, five per region.
Application Process
- 1
Apply online
Submit your venture, impact and growth plans.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
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
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award open now?
No. The 2026 round closed on 13 April 2026 at 23:59 CEST. The official site says applications for the next round open soon and offers a waiting list.
Who can apply?
A woman founder, co-founder or senior leader of an operating venture in health or food security, with impact for low- and middle-income communities in Asia, Latin America, Africa and/or the Middle East.
Can an Indian venture apply?
Yes. Asia is one of the eligible regions, and the 2026 winners came from nine countries including India.
How much is the award?
€25,000 (about ₹27 lakh) in non-dilutive funding, which can be used flexibly for growth.
Can non-profits apply?
Only if they have a clear plan to launch a for-profit entity within 12 to 24 months. Registered charities and sole traders are not eligible.
Do I have to travel?
Yes. In-person attendance at Awardee Days and the Award Ceremony in Amsterdam is a core part of the award. Travel, insurance, accommodation and visa costs are covered, plus a daily allowance.
What does the accelerator involve?
Six months of support: a business advisor for one-to-one sessions and at least one group session a month, requiring at least four hours a month.
What is the selection process?
Experts review applications, the top 30 finalists pitch online to a jury in June, and 15 awardees are chosen, five per region.
Is it a grant or equity?
It is non-dilutive funding, so no equity is taken. No further direct investment is provided.
What revenue must I have?
Annual revenue of up to US$1 million is expected. Pre-break-even ventures can apply with strong evidence of growing revenue and demand.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
