Empowering Innovation: The BRICS Women’s Startups Contest 2026
The BRICS Women’s Startups Contest 2026 has officially opened applications, marking the third edition of this high-impact initiative. Led by the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (BRICS WBA), the contest is designed to accelerate women-led startups and foster deeper economic integration across the BRICS ecosystem. This year, India takes the lead, highlighting a strong commitment to women-led innovation and entrepreneurship on a global scale.
Driving Cross-Border Collaboration
The 2026 edition isn’t just a competition; it’s a strategic platform for visibility and business expansion. By spotlighting high-impact enterprises, the BRICS WBA aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration between women entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and policymakers. For startups looking to scale, the contest provides a critical bridge to engage with diverse markets across the BRICS nations.
Contest Categories
Startups will be evaluated across six key sectors that are pivotal to global development. If your venture operates in any of the following areas, you’re eligible to apply:
- Healthcare and wellbeing
- Agriculture & Food security
- Education & skill development
- Energy, infrastructure & mobility
- Commerce, service & digital transformation
- Sustainable development & climate solutions
Eligibility Criteria
To maintain a high standard of competition, the BRICS Women’s Startups Contest has established strict eligibility requirements. Applicants must meet the following conditions:
Residency and Market Presence
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of BRICS nations, which include Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE. The startup must currently operate in one or more BRICS markets and be actively supplying or exporting within these regions.
Leadership and Strategy
The applicant must hold a key leadership position, such as Founder or Co-Founder, and play an active role in the startup’s overall strategy and daily operations. Although individual leadership is required, the contest encourages the application of multidisciplinary teams with diverse expertise.
Business Viability and Impact
Candidates must provide concrete evidence of a viable business model and clear market demand. The evaluation will focus on existing traction and growth, as well as the long-term sustainability and social, economic, or environmental impact of the solution.
Awards and Selection Process
The competition is structured to recognize startups at various growth phases. Winners will be selected under each development stage across the six categories, resulting in a total of 18 finalists.
- Deadline: Applications must be submitted by April 19, 2026.
- Focus: High-impact, sustainable, and scalable women-led enterprises.
- Scope: Opportunities for networking with investors and policymakers across all BRICS member states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries are eligible for the 2026 contest?
Eligibility is open to citizens or permanent residents of Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE.
What is the deadline for applications?
The deadline to apply for the BRICS Women’s Startups Contest 2026 is April 19, 2026.
How many finalists will be chosen?
A total of 18 finalists will be selected, with winners chosen under each development stage across the six specified categories.
Looking Ahead
As India leads the 2026 initiative, the focus on women-led development is expected to drive significant innovation in digital transformation and sustainable climate solutions. For women entrepreneurs within the BRICS bloc, this contest represents a pivotal opportunity to transition from local operations to international scalability.
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