The 18 finalists will participate in a technical mission in Rio de Janeiro from July 1st to 8th, 2025, and attend an award ceremony at the BRICS Business Forum
The BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) coordinated in 2025 by the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI), and the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae) are launching this year’s Global Competition for Women-Led Startups. This competition aims to spotlight women-led businesses and strengthen female entrepreneurship in the nations comprising BRICS.
The competition will award trips and international recognition to professionals in six categories: Health and Wellness, Agriculture and Food Security, Education and Skills Development, Energy, Infrastructure and Mobility, Trade, Services and Digital Transformation, and Sustainable Development and Climate Solutions.
Applications are now open and can be submitted through the official website until May 4th. Participating companies must present projects that offer practical and innovative solutions to challenges faced by their communities and markets.
Eligible startups are those from BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates—and partner countries, including Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. Additionally, startups from Kyrgyzstan, Mozambique, Lesotho, Zambia, and Zimbabwe may participate if they operate in BRICS markets or have expansion plans in these regions.
Finalists to Engage in Technical Mission with Investors
The 18 finalists will participate in a technical mission in Rio de Janeiro from July 1st to 8th, 2025, to explore innovation hubs, present projects to investors and business leaders, and attend an award ceremony at the BRICS Business Forum, where they will receive international recognition. Travel expenses will be covered by the competition.
For applications:
