Women Entrepreneurs for a Resilient Future in the Middle East and North Africa (WeMENA) is a business model challenge launched to accelerate innovative women-led ventures that seek to build more resilient cities in the region.

As the  region continues its fast-paced urbanization process, residents will increasingly be exposed to adverse effects of climate change, and subject to social, economic, and financial crises due to globalisation. In order to build more resilient cities capable of facing such hazards, WeMENA is looking for projects in Byblos, Beirut, Ramallah, Amman, Cairo, Alexandria, Tunis, and Casablanca that address the following:

-Agriculture and food security  

-Sustainable energy and the environment

-Water and sanitation

-Urban development (transportation, infrastructure, housing)

-Governance and civic engagement

-Healthcare and disease prevention

-Technology, fintech & smart cities

-Disaster risk reduction

Women entrepreneurs can apply as individuals or on behalf of a company. However, in order to be eligible, the applicants will need to show proof of ownership (minimum of 20% shares) in the company they represent. Ideas and ventures will be judged based on:

1- Concept and innovation 
2- Status and feasibility
3- Ability to create resilience and social impact 
4- Business model and scalability 
5- Team
6-  Pitch

Late February, 200 participating women will be chosen to create a private network of like minded people through a series of regional workshops, online training sessions and mentorship from entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley and around the world.

Afterwards, 30 top finalists from the WeMENA200 network will get the opportunity to pitch their ventures/projects to the audience of the grand finale event to be held in Casablanca, Morocco, where they will compete for a shared amount of $150,000 in cash.

Applications have already started and will be closing on January 17, 2017.

Apply now.