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Active programmeMali · West Africa · Diaspora
STARTUP'ELLE — Digital Women Challenge
Digital women's entrepreneurship — regional AES programme
Flagship digital women's entrepreneurship programme: a rigorous pitch competition paired with genuine hands-on support for candidates, now a 2026 regional programme spanning Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Active regional programmeWomen's entrepreneurshipMaliBurkina FasoNiger
- women reached
- 20,000+
- applications received
- 500+
- regional finalists
- 9
- countries — Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger
- 3
The programme
STARTUP'ELLE is TECKONSEILS' flagship programme for digital women's entrepreneurship. Launched in Mali in 2020, it established itself as a rigorous pitch competition backed by genuine hands-on support for candidates, before becoming a regional programme in 2026 — STARTUP'ELLE AES — bringing together Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in consortium with CIPMEN and La Fabrique.
The programme identifies, trains, incubates and connects young women across the Alliance of Sahel States through an eight-stage journey, from the call for applications through to integration into the alumnae network.
Backed by high-level institutional mobilisation — from the Presidency of the Republic to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Mali — the momentum launched in 2020 quickly outgrew Mali's borders, opening the way to a deliberate regional ambition.
Objectives
- Identify and raise awareness among women leading digital-component projects across the three AES countries
- Train selected candidates in the fundamentals of founding and running a business
- Incubate the most promising projects to a stage ready to be presented to investors
- Connect finalists to a lasting network of mentors, investors and institutional partners
- Build the first regional network of women founders across the Alliance of Sahel States
Consortium
- TECKONSEILS-SA (Mali)
- CIPMEN — SME Incubation Centre of Niger
- La Fabrique (Burkina Faso)
The journey
An eight-stage journey
Every stage is clearly marked: candidates always know where they stand and what comes next.
- 01
Call for applications
Simultaneous launch across the three consortium countries, backed by a large-scale awareness campaign.
- 02
Selection
Application review and national shortlisting by partner organisations in each country.
- 03
National Demo Days
National pitch events in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger before local juries.
- 04
Regional bootcamp
Intensive joint training for shortlisted candidates from all three countries.
- 05
Mentorship
One-on-one support from mentors across the regional network.
- 06
Investment readiness
Financial structuring of projects and preparation for funders' requirements.
- 07
Regional Demo Day
Regional final at the Bamako International Conference Centre.
- 08
Alumnae network
Integration into the regional network of women founders, with post-programme follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
Startup'Elle in practice
Who can apply to STARTUP'ELLE AES?
The programme is open to young women leading digital-component projects who reside in one of the three consortium countries: Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Do I need to have already founded my company?
No. The programme welcomes both project holders still at the ideation stage and founders of already-established businesses: selection is based on the strength of the project and the candidate's commitment.
What is the difference between the national editions and the AES edition?
The 2020 and 2021 editions were national, held in Mali. The 2026 edition is regional: it is co-led by a tripartite consortium and culminates in a regional final in Bamako.
Is there a fee to take part?
STARTUP'ELLE is funded through institutional and partner financing. Precise participation terms are communicated with each call for applications.
Coming soon — Startup Hub
A dedicated participant space
Online application submission, progress tracking through the journey, and exchanges with your mentor will arrive with Phase 2 of the platform. In the meantime, applications are handled through our contact form.
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