UBS Female Founder Award 2024

Committed to supporting gender diversity in fintech and tech start-ups for the fourth year

Important dates

Our 2025 Award will launch in September 2025 – please check back then to apply

What's in it for you

Rewards

A cash prize of USD 10,000 will be awarded to the winner and a 'rising star of 2024' will be recognised. All finalists will be given the opportunity to join Project Female Founder 2024, a year-long, global investor readiness, networking and mentorship program, that arms early-stage female founders with fundamentals to support their access to aligned capital. With partners Fortuna, Coralus, and Live True, the program consists of an investor readiness and pitch program, followed by access to the Coralus network to help build an ecosystem of support. Finalists will receive mentoring from UBS advisers, access to experienced entrepreneurs, venture capital firms and others in a global community, allowing you to build your regional and international contacts.

Cash prize

The winner will receive USD 10,000 to support their founder journey. A special award will also go to the 'Rising Star of 2024'.

Mentoring

Receive mentorship from a UBS senior leader and access to female-focused VCs and investors. Companies above USD 50 million can connect with Growth Entrepreneur Network.

Project Female Founder

Join Project Female Founder, a year-long program for investor readiness and networking. Access to global Coralus network of female entrepreneurs to connect and share your best practices.

Global profile

Access speaker and publicity opportunities to gain recognition. Build your global profile through this prestigious award, either as a winner or finalist.

Rules

By participating in the competition for the Award, applicants accept and agree to abide by these Official Rules and represent and warrant that they meet all eligibility requirements. Additionally, applicants agree to accept the selection decisions of UBS as appropriate, final, and legally binding.

Download a PDF copy of the Official Rules.

Why we care

In 2021, UBS published its report “The funding gap: Investors and female entrepreneurs’’, which examined the reasons behind why female entrepreneurs receive less funding than their male counterparts. It found that female entrepreneurs lack equal opportunities to innovate and build successful companies that can contribute to the global economy. There is an abundance of evidence to suggest that women entrepreneurs, who receive funding, develop businesses that perform as well – or even better – than their male counterparts, which suggests that investors are missing out on attractive investment opportunities.

2024 winner

Winning the Female Founder Award 2024 would amplify our mission to combat cyber vulnerabilities, as over 50% individuals online have been impacted by cyberattacks or scams. This recognition will fuel us to protect more businesses and individuals, fostering a safer digital world for all.

Claudette McGowan, winner of the 2024 UBS Female Founder Award

Ana Mahony