"She's Next" Grant Program Empowers UAE Women-Owned Businesses with $50,000 Grant & Exclusive Benefits

The 'She's Next' Grant Programme, created in collaboration with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), is asking women-owned companies in the UAE to submit applications. Visa is the market leader in digital payments. The programme gives female business owners the chance to apply for a grant of $50,000 USD, access to a customised training programme, and participation in the exclusive She's Next Club, which offers beneficial networking and mentorship possibilities.

Visa collaborated with SheTrades, a global programme of the International Trade Centre (a joint agency of the United Nations and World Trade Organisation), to further empower women in business. The programme now includes Amazon Web Services Connected Community, which is giving all She's Next applicants free membership. Participants may book free 1:1 consultations, access on-demand material and trainings, and get savings on software, Amazon Payment Services, and AWS free credits through the AWS Connected Community.

The overall number of UAE-based applications received so far for the award programme is 328, a fourfold increase from last year as the application deadline of June 23, 2023, draws near. In the GCC this year, Visa received 705 applications, a fivefold increase from the previous year.

In reaction to the large number of applications received, Salima Gutieva, Vice President and Country Manager for the UAE at Visa, remarked, "We are happy to see such a wonderful response from women entrepreneurs in the UAE. This year's applications have really stood out because of the variety of businesses represented, the practical answers they are offering to actual issues, and the sizeable number of them that demonstrate a strong dedication to sustainability. It underlines the enormous skill and potential in our society and women's unrelenting will to be successful in their companies.

Visa has recently published the Women SMB Digitalization Index for the UAE as part of the She's Next project, which highlights the difficulties and advancements faced by women-owned companies in the digital sphere. According to the Index, self-confidence is important to more than half (55%) of female business owners. Along with maintaining a positive outlook (44%), 51% of these entrepreneurs think that having great leadership qualities to encourage and inspire others is extremely desirable.

The Visa She's Next Grant Programme is now accepting applications from UAE-based female entrepreneurs. Interested parties must fill out a brief application form with information on their business and online presence in order to learn more and apply for the Visa She's Next Grant Programme.