TiE Dubai, the regional chapter of global entrepreneurship network The Indus Entrepreneurs, has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its TiE Women MENA Program, aiming to scale women-led startups as investment activity in the region begins to rebound.
The initiative, now in its seventh year, comes as startups across the Middle East and North Africa raised about $150 million in April across 27 deals, reflecting improving investor sentiment after a slower start to the year.
Applications will close on June 25 and are open to women founders or co-founders holding at least a 33% stake in ventures established from January 2019. The program targets early- to growth-stage startups and offers mentorship, investor access, pitch training, and networking opportunities, alongside equity-free prize funding.
TiE Dubai said it expects to shortlist about 45 to 50 startups, which will be divided into five tracks spanning the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Emirati founders and the wider Middle East. Winners from each track will advance to a regional final later this year, with top founders gaining exposure at GITEX Global in Dubai.
The program is backed by Nokia as the official partner, alongside long-term collaborators including TECOM, Dubai Internet City and in5 Innovation Centers, reflecting growing corporate interest in supporting startup ecosystems and diversity-led innovation.
“Women founders continue to demonstrate resilience and the ability to adapt in uncertain environments,” said Carlina Marani and Shameema Parveen, co-chairs of TiE Women MENA. “We are seeing increasingly bold ideas emerging from across the region.”
Regional finals are scheduled to take place virtually in September, with MENA-level finals planned for December during GITEX 2026, positioning selected startups before global investors and industry leaders.
Nokia said its involvement is tied to the broader economic case for inclusion. Expanding women’s participation in entrepreneurship and the workforce could increase GDP per capita in the MENA region by more than 30% over time, according to economic research cited by the company.
Since its launch, TiE Women has received more than 11,000 applications globally and supported over 500 startups. In MENA, the program has worked with more than 1,000 women-led businesses, highlighting its role in a region where access to funding for female founders remains comparatively limited despite gradual progress.