FICCI, the Official Secretariat of BRICS WBA, Launches the Most Prestigious Women’s Startup Contest Across BRICS Nations
Applications are now open for the BRICS Women’s Startup Contest 2026 — bringing together the most innovative women-led startups from across Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and UAE to compete on the world stage.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), as the Official Secretariat of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (BRICS WBA), today announced the official launch of the BRICS Women’s Startup Contest 2026 — the most prestigious international platform for women-led startups across BRICS Nations.
Bringing together the most innovative and impactful women-led startups from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and UAE, the contest offers founders an unparalleled opportunity to gain global recognition, access a powerful network of international investors, and present their solutions before the world’s most influential policymakers and business leaders.
From hundreds of applicants, only 18 finalists will be selected to compete on the BRICS stage — making this one of the most exclusive and high-impact platforms available to women entrepreneurs globally.
Competition Stages
The contest is open to startups at all stages of development. Participants will compete across three distinct categories designed to reflect where they are in their growth journey:
Stage Description
- Early Stage: For startups with a validated idea and early traction, seeking their first major international platform and investor exposure.
- Growth Stage: For startups actively scaling their product, team, and market presence, ready to expand within and beyond BRICS markets.
- Scale-Up Stage: For startups with a proven business model, poised for aggressive expansion across BRICS and global markets.
Innovation Across Key Sectors
The contest recognises and elevates women-led innovation across six high-impact sectors that define the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing BRICS nations today:
- Healthcare & Wellbeing
- Agriculture & Food Security
- Education & Skills Development
- Energy, Infrastructure & Mobility
- Commerce, Services & Digital Transformation
- Sustainable Development & Climate Solutions
What Selected Finalists Stand to Gain
Selected finalists will receive access to an extraordinary range of opportunities, connections, and experiences that extend far beyond the contest itself:
- Global visibility and recognition on the international BRICS stage
- Direct access to networking among BRICS investors, policymakers, and industry leaders
- Cross-border partnership opportunities across BRICS markets
- Attendance at the BRICS Women’s Startup Contest Awards Ceremony
How to Apply
Women-led startups from across all BRICS nations are invited to apply. Please review the requirements carefully on the website and refer to the handbook for detailed guidelines.
