From 3–29 November, Accelerate Prosperity Tajikistan successfully conducted the Women Cup 2025, a four-week incubation program designed to strengthen the skills, knowledge, and leadership capabilities of women entrepreneurs across Tajikistan. The program attracted significant attention, receiving 71 applications, from which 17 participants were selected to join an intensive learning journey that combined practical workshops, mentorship, and online masterclasses. Women Cup 2025 aimed to empower participants to refine their business strategies, enhance financial planning, improve marketing approaches, and confidently pitch their projects to potential stakeholders.
Over the course of the program, participants engaged in a three-day offline bootcamp where they attended hands-on workshops focused on business management, operational planning, and strategic thinking. Following the bootcamp, four weeks of online sessions provided deep dives into critical business topics, supported by expert-led masterclasses. Each participant was also paired with individual mentors who guided them in refining their ideas, assessing market opportunities, and developing business plans that could translate into sustainable, scalable ventures. This mentorship component allowed entrepreneurs to receive tailored feedback, enhancing their capacity to grow and adapt within competitive markets.
By the end of the program, 15 finalists successfully completed all stages and presented their business projects to an independent committee of experts. These presentations reflected significant improvements in project clarity, financial modeling, marketing strategies, and overall business readiness. Women Cup 2025 demonstrated the potential of women-led ventures to contribute meaningfully to local economic development and community growth in Tajikistan. Participants reported greater confidence, clearer strategic direction, and a better understanding of the practical steps required to move from concept to market-ready business models.
Women Cup 2025 was implemented under the SAGE: Supporting Accelerated Growth of Entrepreneurs initiative, with financial support from the Government of Switzerland and the Aga Khan Foundation. The program highlighted the importance of combining structured incubation, mentorship, and expert guidance to nurture high-potential entrepreneurs, particularly in regions where access to resources and training opportunities for women remains limited. Organizers emphasized that programs like Women Cup play a critical role in building an ecosystem that encourages women to take leadership roles in business, innovate, and drive sustainable economic growth.
The success of Women Cup 2025 underscores the growing recognition of women as pivotal contributors to Tajikistan’s entrepreneurial landscape. Accelerate Prosperity Tajikistan continues to advocate for inclusive initiatives that provide practical tools, knowledge, and networks, ensuring women entrepreneurs are equipped to transform their ideas into impactful, market-ready ventures. The program also served as a testament to the value of international partnerships and support in enabling entrepreneurship, combining local expertise with global resources to strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.