UpGreyed Her Grant 2026
By Grey
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Quick Answer
Grey's equity-free grant for women running tech-enabled businesses at least three years old. Three winners: US$5,000 (about ₹4.75 lakh), US$3,000 and US$2,000. The 2026 round is closed.
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 20 April 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Grey. 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 UpGreyed Her is closed. Applications ran from 18 March and shut on 20 April 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time. The official page does not announce a next round, so watch Grey's social media (@greyfinance) for the next edition and deadline.
UpGreyed Her is an equity-free grant from Grey, a financial technology company that offers cross-border money transfers, virtual cards and currency exchange. It backs women entrepreneurs who run established, technology-enabled businesses in emerging markets. This page explains the 2026 round so you can prepare early for the next one.
What the program offers
In 2026 Grey gave US$10,000 in equity-free grants across three winners: US$5,000 (about ₹4.75 lakh) for first place, US$3,000 for the first runner-up and US$2,000 for the second runner-up. Equity-free means you give up no ownership in your business. Grey says it does not ask for equity and counts the growth of the ecosystem as its own gain. The money is meant to help winners strengthen and grow their operations. The official page lists no mentoring, office space or other perks, so treat this as a cash grant only.
Who can apply
The 2026 rules asked for a business that is established, uses technology to solve real-world problems and is ready for its next growth step. The business had to be founded by a woman or have a female co-founder with at least 50% ownership. The business had to be in operation for at least three years, and the founder had to be aged 23 to 40. Eligible industries included artificial intelligence, IT, transport and logistics, agriculture and forestry, education, healthcare, construction, energy and manufacturing, with a focus on women-led businesses in male-dominated or tech-enabled fields.
The founder also had to be a citizen or resident of an eligible country. Grey lists the eligible regions as Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, the UK and the US, and links the full country list to a Grey support article. That article lists India among its countries, so an Indian founder is on the list the page points to. The page's own region wording does not name South Asia, and the article is a list of countries where Grey currently supports sign-ups, which Grey says it updates, so an Indian founder should still confirm the current list with Grey before spending time on an application. Past winners cannot apply again; past applicants who are still eligible may reapply.
It suits a woman-led, revenue-earning technology business that is at least three years old and wants a small cash boost. It does not suit idea-stage founders, very young companies or founders outside the age band.
How to apply
Applicants filled in an online form on the official page and answered the business questions. Shortlisted candidates were asked to submit a video pitch, and some were invited to a short interview. Read the full terms and conditions on Grey's site before applying. A practical tip: keep ownership proof, ID documents and any consent from partners or directors ready before the form opens, so you can apply early in the window.
How applications are judged and what happens next
A panel of women judges with experience in business, technology and management reviews applications. The page names the judging points as business viability, innovation and impact. Grey uses automated tools to help pre-screen applications, while people make the shortlisting and final choices. Grey may verify citizenship before paying the grant. Past rounds announced winners publicly on Grey's channels.
About Grey
Grey describes itself as a financial technology company, not a bank, with banking services provided by licensed partners. Its products include money transfer, virtual cards, currency exchange, foreign accounts, invoices, bill payments, expense management and savings. UpGreyed Her is its programme for women-led businesses, and the 2026 round was the third edition. Across the 2024 and 2025 editions the programme received more than 2,700 applications.
Things to check before you apply
- Confirm the current country list: Grey's linked support article names India, but it is a sign-up list that Grey updates, and the page's region wording does not mention South Asia.
- Check the age limit (23 to 40) and the three-year business age against your own dates.
- Read the terms: franchises, import/export businesses and government contractors were excluded in 2026, and the grant cannot go to businesses that have won before.
- A practical tip: prepare a short, clear video pitch in advance, since only shortlisted founders are asked for it and the turnaround may be short.
- Payout currency and tax treatment for an Indian recipient are not stated; check with an adviser.
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
Grey awarded US$10,000 in equity-free grants (about ₹9.5 lakh) in the 2026 round: US$5,000 (about ₹4.75 lakh) to the first-place winner, US$3,000 to the second and US$2,000 to the third. Winners are profiled on Grey's website and social media.
- Cohort size
- 3 startups
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
A panel of women judges with business, technology and management experience reviews applications on viability, innovation and impact. Grey uses automated tools to pre-screen, but people make the shortlist and final choice. Shortlisted founders submit a video pitch and some are interviewed.
Application Process
- 1
Apply online
Answer the questions and upload ID documents during the application window.
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 UpGreyed Her 2026 still open?
No. The 2026 round closed on 20 April 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time. The official page does not announce a next round, so follow Grey's social media (@greyfinance) for news.
Who can apply for UpGreyed Her?
A woman aged 23 to 40 with an established, for-profit, technology-enabled business that is at least three years old. The business must be founded by a woman or have a female co-founder with at least 50% ownership, and the founder must be a citizen or resident of an eligible country.
Can Indian women founders apply?
Probably yes, but confirm. The official page names only regions (Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, the UK and the US) and links a Grey support article for the full country list. That article lists India. Because the page's region wording does not mention South Asia and the article is a sign-up country list that Grey updates, check with Grey before applying.
How much is the grant?
In 2026 the total was US$10,000 across three winners: US$5,000 (about ₹4.75 lakh), US$3,000 and US$2,000. It is an equity-free grant, so you give up no ownership.
Is there an application fee?
Grey's rules say you do not have to buy or pay anything to apply or be eligible. Check the terms and conditions on Grey's site for the exact wording.
What documents or materials do I need?
The online form asks for business details and ID documents, and proof of consent from any partners or directors. Shortlisted founders also submit a video pitch and may be interviewed.
Is it a grant or equity?
It is an equity-free grant. Grey says it takes no equity and counts ecosystem growth as its gain.
Can past winners apply again?
No. Past winners may not apply. Past applicants who are still eligible may reapply.
Do I have to travel?
The official page does not mention any travel requirement. The selection steps it describes are an online application, a video pitch and a possible short interview.
When are results announced?
The official page does not give a results date for 2026. Grey announces winners and new rounds on its social media.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
