APPLICATIONS OPEN UNTIL JUNE 30
SC WIN Now & Next
Programme 2026
12 Week Global Accelerator Programme for Women Entrepreneurs Across Hong Kong/GBA and India.
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SC WIN NOW &
NEXT PROGRAMME
SC WIN NOW &
NEXT PROGRAMME
SC WIN NOW &
NEXT PROGRAMME
SC WIN NOW &
NEXT PROGRAMME
SC WIN NOW &
NEXT PROGRAMME
SC WIN NOW &
NEXT PROGRAMME
SC WIN NOW &
NEXT PROGRAMME
Backing bold women.
Building the future.
The SC WIN Now & Next Challenge 2026 brings together Standard Chartered, one of the world's leading international banks, and LIFTWOMEN®, Asia-Pacific's first and leading women-focused funding platform and network, to accelerate the next generation of women-led businesses across two of Asia's most dynamic markets.
The programme combines a pitch format with a structured 12-week accelerator designed to build capability and accelerate growth at different stages of business development.
KEY DATES
Programme Timeline
01
JUNE 2026
Application
Applications are open until 30 June 2026. Apply now before spots fill up.
🇭🇰 Apply here for Hong Kong & GBA
🇮🇳 Apply here for India
02
JULY - AUGUST 2026
Screening & Interviews
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed online. 20 finalists will be announced mid-August, 10 from Hong Kong/GBA and 10 from India.
03
AUGUST - OCTOBER 2026
Accelerator Programme
Your 12-week online accelerator begins. Weekly sessions covering pitching, marketing, finance, operations, and resilience plus dedicated 1:1 mentorships and access to a global network of investors, experts, and entrepreneurs.
04
END OF OCTOBER 2026 Pitch Finale & Award CeremonyAccelerator Programme
The moment it all builds to. Present your business in person to a room of investors, experts, and industry leaders and compete for four awards recognising the best women-led businesses across Hong Kong / GBA and India.
📍 In person in Hong Kong & Mumbai
How it works
If you're ready to take your business to the next level, apply before 30 June 2026.
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Weekly online sessions
Over a 12-week online accelerator program, 10 finalists will gain access to dedicated expert-led learning covering pitching, marketing, founder resilience, finance and wealth and how to scale.
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Dedicated 1:1 Mentorships, connections to Investors, Experts & Entrepreneurs
We match you with ongoing mentorship and introductions to investors and leaders across the ecosystem to boost your business.
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Pitch for funding & connect with peers and investors
The programme culminates in an in-person Pitch Finale and Award Ceremony in respective markets at the end of October 2026.
Programme Awards
Outstanding participants will be recognised at the SC WIN Now & Next Challenge Pitch Finale and Award Ceremony, with four programme awards presented to businesses demonstrating excellence, impact and growth potential.
🏆 Best SC WIN Business
Awarded to the standout business demonstrating exceptional growth, leadership and overall performance.
🌏 Best International Business
Celebrating founders with strong cross-border ambitions and global market potential.
💚 Best Business for Good
Recognising businesses creating meaningful social or environmental impact alongside commercial success.
🚀 Best Next Gen Business
Honouring emerging founders building innovative solutions for the future.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
More than a programme. A launchpad.
Gain the knowledge, networks and visibility to accelerate your business, connect with a powerful community of women founders, and unlock opportunities that extend far beyond the 12-week programme.
Built for Ambitious Founders
Designed for women-led businesses ready to grow, scale and think bigger whether you're building locally or expanding internationally.
Expert Learning
Access practical, founder-focused sessions covering fundraising, marketing, operations, finance and resilience.
Mentors, Investors & Ecosystem Leaders
Learn from experienced entrepreneurs and connect with mentors, investors and industry experts who can help accelerate your next stage of growth.
A Global Community
Join the SC WIN network of 4,500+ women-owned businesses across seven markets, opening the door to cross-border connections, collaborations and lifelong relationships.
Recognition & Opportunities
Increase your visibility, pitch your business on a major stage, and gain access to media exposure, new partnerships and ongoing opportunities through the wider SC WIN ecosystem.
Meet our previous winners
Lamia Sreya Rahman
Co-Founder & COO, Vidi Labs (Seekr.Ai)
SC WIN 2025 Venture of the Year
When Lamia Sreya Rahman applied for the inaugural SC WIN Now & Next Challenge in 2025, she was on a mission—building Seekr.Ai, an AI-powered wearable device developed in close collaboration with and for the visually impaired community.
What followed was eight weeks of rigorous learning, preparation, and pitching, guided by world-class mentors, a supportive peer cohort, and one-on-one coaching that helped her distil four years of entrepreneurial journey into a compelling four-minute pitch.
At the end of it all, Lamia stood on stage at the SC WIN Pitch Finale and walked away as the inaugural Venture of the Year, taking home the grand prize of 500,000 HKD.
But the impact went far beyond the award ceremony.
Standard Chartered's recognition gave Vidi Labs the credibility to open doors in markets it had never reached before—including the US. B2B partnerships across aviation, hospitality, and NGOs followed, driving sustainable growth well beyond Hong Kong. In a market where access to assistive technology funding is limited and trust is everything, winning SC WIN changed the game.
"Winning SC WIN Venture of the Year unlocked significant opportunities and accelerated our growth. Standard Chartered's recognition strengthened our credibility, opened doors in new markets, and enabled us to deepen B2B partnerships across aviation, hospitality, and NGOs."
— Lamia Sreya Rahman
Co-Founder & COO,
Vidi Labs (Seekr.Ai)
Tata Miyamoto & Vriko Kwok
Founders of Nourwish
When we first searched for brand mentorship, most programs were led by men who, while experienced, often couldn’t relate to the unique barriers women face in business. Finding guidance from people who truly understood the challenges was important. The Standard Chartered SC WIN Now and Next Challenge x LIFTWOMEN program was different.
It provided mentorship grounded in real understanding, practical tools, and a network of women who genuinely wanted to see each other succeed.
Winning gave us the confidence to grow our business and proved that when women support women, challenges can turn into opportunities.
Dr Pui-Wah Choi
Founder of WomenX
When I started WomenX, I wanted to create an accessible, private way for women to monitor their cervical and vaginal health at home. Seeing how cultural, personal, or practical factors can limit access to traditional screenings inspired me to explore inclusive solutions.
Joining the SC WIN Now & Next Challenge transformed the way I approached that vision.
The program helped me see possibilities I hadn’t imagined, guided me to tell my story with purpose, and connected me with women whose support became a driving force for growth.
Your turn to take flight
Ready to go from 0 to 1?
We believe that every woman has the potential to achieve greatness and make a difference in the world. We are committed to empowering women and girls to embrace who they are, define their future, and change the world.
Trusted & Supported By:
Who can apply?
SC WIN Now & Next is open to women-led businesses in Hong Kong/Greater Bay Area and India that are ready to accelerate growth, strengthen their leadership and connect with a powerful global network.
🇭🇰
Hong Kong/Greater Bay Area
Applicants must:
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Be a women-led business:
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Option A: 51%+ women ownership, or founded by a woman with at least 50% shareholding; or
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Option B: 20%+ women ownership, with a woman in senior leadership and at least 30% women representation on the board.
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Be incorporated in Hong Kong.
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Have been operating for a minimum of one year.
🇮🇳
India
Applicants must:
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Be a women-led business:
-
Option A: 51%+ women ownership, or founded by a woman with at least 50% shareholding; or
-
Option B: 20%+ women ownership, with a woman in senior leadership and at least 30% women representation on the board.
-
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Be incorporated in India.
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Have been operating for a minimum of two years.
REAL FUNDING, REAL GROWTH
Why Apply ?
Expert
guidance
Learn from experienced founders, investors and industry experts through a practical 12-week programme designed to help you grow with confidence.
Access to funding opportunities
Pitch your business on a major stage and gain exposure to potential investors, partners and ecosystem leaders who can support your next chapter.
Raise your
profile
Build your visibility through media exposure, storytelling support and opportunities to showcase your business within the wider SC WIN ecosystem.
Join a powerful community
Become part of a supportive network of ambitious women founders, mentors and changemakers across Hong Kong, India and beyond.
Long term opportunities
The relationships, knowledge and connections you build don't end after 12 weeks. Join an ecosystem designed to support women-led businesses for the long term.
Global
connections
Access the SC WIN community of 4,500+ women-owned businesses across seven markets and unlock opportunities for collaboration, growth and international expansion.
