The nonprofit Technovation, in partnership with Generation Unlimited (Gen U), today announced the launch of the AI Ventures Accelerator, a 12-week, zero-cost accelerator aimed at young women building AI-powered startups, with eligibility open to participants in India, Nigeria, Mexico and the United States.
The programme offers access to no-fee training, mentorship, resources and tools, and, significantly, the top ten teams will each receive up to US$10,000 in equity-free seed funding. The total prize pool amounts to US$100,000 for the Top 10 teams, while the Top 25 teams receive further incubation support.
Over the course of 12 weeks, participants will move from ideation to an investor-ready AI venture. Curriculum elements include AI education, human-centred design, product development, prototyping, team formation and pitch preparation. No prior coding or AI experience is required.
Applicants must be young women aged 19–24 (teams of 2-4 preferred, solo applicants acceptable) and commit 10-15 hours per week to the remote accelerator activities. The first cohort emphasises India, Mexico, Nigeria and the U.S. residents.
The launch of the AI Ventures Accelerator occurs amid growing momentum for gender-inclusive and regionally diverse AI entrepreneurship pipelines. By enabling equity-free seed funding and focusing on under-represented demographic segments in AI, the initiative seeks to address both access and ownership gaps in technology ventures.
The timeline: applications are open through 30 November 2025, followed by notification of selected teams by the end of December. The programme is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with the Top 10 seed-fund winners to be announced in March 2026 and a live Demo Day in October 2026.
To apply or for more information, visit the website.
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