Apply to the BRICS Women’s Startups Contest 2025 & Win an All-Expense Paid Trip Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The BRICS Women's Business Alliance is now accepting applications for the 2025 BRICS Women's Startups Contest. This prestigious competition aims to empower women entrepreneurs across BRICS nations and partner countries, showcasing innovative, high-impact startups that address global challenges. 

Eligibility 

• Open to citizens or permanent residents of BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE) and partner countries (Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan)
• Applicants must hold a key leadership position (Founder, Co-Founder, or equivalent) in their startup
• Startups must be innovation-driven with a strong technological foundation

Categories and Business Stages 

The contest features six categories: Healthcare and Wellbeing, Agriculture and Food Security, Education and Skills Development, Energy, Infrastructure, Mobility, Commerce, Service, and Digital Transformation, and Sustainable Development and Climate Solutions. Startups can compete in three development stages: early-stage (MVP or prototype phase), growth (established product with initial market acceptance), and scale-up (mature startups expanding into new markets).  

Awards 

Eighteen finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (July 1-8, 2025) for an exclusive Technical Mission. This includes visits to top innovation hubs and businesses, networking opportunities with investors and industry leaders, and participation in the BRICS Business Forum and Award Ceremony.