10 Grants, Funds & Financing Options for Women-Owned Businesses in the UAE

If you are a woman entrepreneur in the UAE, you are building your business in one of the most supportive ecosystems in the world. Beyond a strong economy and strategic location, the UAE now has serious funding, grant and accelerator programmes designed to help founders like you grow.

In this guide, you’ll find 10 concrete funding options – from government-backed funds and banks to equity-free grants and women-only accelerators. Some are women-exclusive, while others are gender-neutral but highly relevant to women-owned SMEs.

⚠️ Always double-check current eligibility, deadlines and terms on the official websites before applying. Programmes evolve.

1.Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (Nationwide – with strong support for women)

The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) is one of the UAE’s largest enterprise development entities, created to support SMEs through funding + practical support.(Khalifa Fund)

What it offers

• SME funding schemes (loans / financing for viable projects)
• Business-plan guidance, mentoring, and networking support
• Special focus on building long-term sustainability and profitability for SMEs

Women entrepreneurs can apply for Khalifa Fund programmes on the same basis as other founders, but the Fund is frequently highlighted in official reports as a key government-backed route for female founders to access capital and advisory support.(fundingsouq.com)

Who it’s good for

• UAE-based SMEs (especially Emirati-owned)
• Founders with clear business plans and willingness to undergo training and mentoring

Learn more:
Khalifa Fund – Funding Schemes 

2. SWAN – Sharjah Women Accelerators Network (Khalifa Fund Initiative)

The Sharjah Women Accelerators Network (SWAN) is a dedicated initiative under Khalifa Fund that focuses specifically on Emirati women entrepreneurs.(fundingsouq.com)

What it offers

• Training and structured capacity-building
• Peer-to-peer learning and networking
• A platform to connect with investors via workshops and pitch events
• In recent cohorts, grant funding has been provided to selected participants.(Aletihad Newspaper)

Who it’s good for

• Emirati women with existing home-based or early-stage ventures
• Founders who want both skills and access to capital + markets

Learn more:
Currently, SWAN details are shared through Khalifa Fund and related ecosystem partners. A good starting point is Khalifa Fund’s official site plus recent coverage of the SWAN programme and women-focused funding in the UAE:

• Khalifa Fund Main Site (Khalifa Fund)
• UAE Government Grants & Funding Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs – Funding Souq (fundingsouq.com)

3. Emirates Development Bank (EDB) – SME Financing & Credit Guarantee Scheme

Emirates Development Bank (EDB) is a federal development bank focused on financing SMEs and priority sectors across the UAE.(edb.gov.ae)

What it offers

• SME loans and tailored financing solutions (including for scale-up and expansion)(edb.gov.ae)
• Micro and small business financing, especially for UAE nationals(Ministry of Economy)
• A Credit Guarantee Scheme in partnership with commercial banks, where EDB guarantees up to 50% of SME loans, making banks more willing to lend.(edb.gov.ae)

Women founders can access this as mainstream SME finance, and EDB is often highlighted in women-focused funding guides as a key financing route.(fundingsouq.com)

Who it’s good for

• SMEs that are already generating revenue and need capital for growth
• Founders who want bank-style loans but need the support of a development bank to unlock them

Learn more:

• EDB – SME Financing (edb.gov.ae)
• EDB – Credit Guarantee Scheme (edb.gov.ae)

4. Mohammed Bin Rashid Fund for SMEs (“The Fund”, Dubai SME)

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Fund for SMEs, commonly branded as “The Fund”, is operated by Dubai SME and is targeted at startups and SMEs founded by Emiratis.(thefund.ae)

What it offers

• Loans and financial products for early-stage startups
• An Asset Funding Loan that is described as an interest-free product for eligible Dubai SME businesses(thefund.ae)
• Design and advisory support to help founders succeed

Who it’s good for

• Emirati founders with licensed startups in Dubai
• Women entrepreneurs who qualify as UAE nationals and want Shariah-compliant, supportive funding

Learn more:
The Fund – Dubai SME (thefund.ae)

5. Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF)

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) is a government-backed fund supported by the UAE Ministry of Finance. It focuses on innovative companies that align with the National Innovation Strategy.(Ministry of Economy)

What it offers

• Innovation-linked financing and guarantees for projects registered in the UAE
• Supportive terms for high-potential, innovation-driven companies across sectors like technology, health, education, space, water, clean energy and transportation(Ministry of Finance)

Women founders who are building innovation-driven or tech-enabled businesses can be strong candidates here.

Who it’s good for

• Startups and SMEs with unique, technically innovative solutions
• UAE-registered companies (not limited by founder nationality or gender) looking for growth capital

Learn more:
MBRIF – Ministry of Finance Partner Page (Ministry of Finance)

6. Visa “She’s Next” Grant Program – UAE Edition

She’s Next, empowered by Visa, is a global grant and advocacy programme for women-owned small businesses that has a dedicated UAE edition in partnership with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC).(dbwc.ae)

What it offers

• Cash grants for selected UAE women-led businesses (for example, past UAE rounds offered USD 10,000 grants to multiple winners)(dbwc.ae)
• Business coaching and mentorship through partners like IFundWomen(dbwc.ae)
• Visibility, media exposure and access to networks

Globally, Visa reports millions of dollars invested in women SMB grants through She’s Next.(Visa)

Who it’s good for

• Women-owned SMBs across sectors (retail, services, creative, digital, etc.)
• Founders comfortable with competitive grant applications

Learn more:
She’s Next – Visa UAE (Visa)

 7.Womentum Accelerator – Womena (Female-Led Tech Startups)

Womentum is an early-stage accelerator created by Womena, a Dubai-based platform and angel network focused on female-led startups.(womena.com)

What it offers

• A structured 4-month accelerator for tech startups with at least one female founder(womena.com)
• Mentorship, investor introductions, and access to Womena’s angel investment ecosystem(womena.com)
• Exposure to ecosystems in Dubai and sometimes international hubs (e.g., Berlin in earlier cohorts)(MAGNiTT)

While it’s an accelerator rather than a direct cash grant, many alumni use it to raise investment and close funding rounds.

Who it’s good for

• Female-led tech startups, early stage but with some traction
• Founders seeking investment readiness + access to investors

Learn more:
Womentum – Womena (womena.com)

8. Standard Chartered “Women in Tech” Accelerator (Equity-Free Funding)

Standard Chartered’s Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator runs a UAE edition, in partnership with C3 and Village Capital.(Standard Chartered Bank)

What it offers

• Training, mentorship and investment-readiness support
• Access to Standard Chartered’s global networks and ecosystem partners
• Equity-free seed funding: the programme currently offers up to USD 150,000 in equity-free funding for selected startups in each cycle.(Standard Chartered Bank)

Who it’s good for

• Tech or tech-enabled startups with at least one female co-founder
• Companies already operating in the UAE with an MVP and early traction(Standard Chartered Bank)

Learn more:
Standard Chartered – Women in Tech UAE (Standard Chartered Bank)

9. Sharjah Women Impact Fellowship (SWIF) – Equity-Free Grants for Women Founders

The Sharjah Women Impact Fellowship (SWIF) is a high-level leadership and venture-building fellowship for 12 women founders based in the UAE, run by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa).(&nbsp)

What it offers

• Intensive leadership and venture-acceleration programme
• Investor and partner access via curated roadshows and roundtables(&nbsp)
• A grant pool of AED 500,000, offered as equity-free grants to Fellows in the first edition.(&nbsp)

The fellowship is fee-free and equity-free, with all costs covered by partners to lower barriers for women founders.(&nbsp)

Who it’s good for

• Women founders with operating ventures and real traction (revenue, pilots, signed partnerships)
• Those willing to anchor or expand significant operations in Sharjah

Learn more:
Sharjah Women Impact Fellowship (SWIF) (&nbsp)

10. Sharjah Advanced Industry Accelerator – Equity-Free Grant Prize

The Sharjah Advanced Industry Accelerator focuses on Industry 4.0 technologies, including areas like smart construction management, smart materials, sustainable design and other advanced sectors.(Women in Tech® Global)

What it offers

• An accelerator platform for startups building industrial / deep-tech solutions
• Investment options for finalists to scale their projects
• A USD 100,000 equity-free grant prize for the winning startup, along with business incubation, market access and marketing support.(Women in Tech® Global)

This programme is not women-only, but women-led startups in advanced tech are encouraged to participate and can compete on equal terms.

Who it’s good for

• High-growth, innovation-driven startups in Industry 4.0 sectors
• Founders ready to pitch for a significant equity-free prize and ecosystem access

Learn more:
Sharjah Advanced Industry Accelerator (Women in Tech® Global)

How to Choose the Right Funding Option for Your Stage

When you look at this list, ask yourself:

1. What stage am I at?

• Idea/early MVP → accelerators and fellowships (Womentum, Women in Tech, SWIF, Sharjah Advanced Industry Accelerator)
• Growing SME with revenue → development banks and funds (Khalifa Fund, EDB, The Fund, MBRIF)

2. Do I want debt, equity, or grants?

• Prefer grants / equity-free funding → She’s Next, Women in Tech, SWIF, Sharjah Advanced Industry Accelerator
• Comfortable with loans → EDB, Khalifa Fund, The Fund, MBRIF

3. What’s my sector and location?

• Tech / innovation → MBRIF, Women in Tech, Womentum, SWIF, Sharjah Advanced Industry Accelerator
• General SME (services, retail, F&B, etc.) → Khalifa Fund, EDB, The Fund, She’s Next     

 Final Thoughts: There’s Never Been a Better Time to Fund Your Business

If you’re a woman entrepreneur building in the UAE, you're no longer alone on your journey. The landscape has evolved  with real, accessible opportunities for funding, mentorship, and market access.

Whether you're applying for a government-backed loan, entering a women-led accelerator, or pitching for an equity-free grant  there’s a pathway that matches your stage and vision.

Take action. Research deeply. Apply boldly.

And if you need support or real-world insights from other women who’ve done it — that’s exactly why we built the WE Global Network .Join the WE Global Network today and step into a world where your success is not just possible — it’s supported.