Deadline: June 30, 2026
Applications are open for the WeXchange Women STEMpreneurs Competition 2026. The WeXchange 2026 Women STEMpreneurs Competition seeks to identify the most innovative and dynamic STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) women entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean to connect them with potential funding opportunities. This edition is organized with the support of the venture capital fund EWA Capital.
If you are a female co-founder or part of the leadership team (C-level) of a startup that is raising capital or about to start a financing round, from pre-seed to Series B, apply now. You can be one of the 5 selected and pitch your company in San Salvador to investors and key players in the innovation ecosystem of Latin America and the Caribbean on October 5–7, during the GET Forum: Global Entrepreneurship and Technology Forum, an IDB Group Innovation for Impact Platform.
Benefits
- As a selected participant of this call, you will travel to Quito and present your business to investors and key players in the innovation ecosystem of Latin America and the Caribbean on October 5–7, 2026, during the GET Forum: Global Entrepreneurship and Technology for Latin America and the Caribbean, an IDB Group Innovation for Impact Platform.
- As a selected participant of this call, you will receive visibility, press, and dissemination opportunities for your company.
- As a selected participant of this call, you will receive support to connect with venture capital investors.
The prize of this call includes travel and lodging expenses for the female founder/co-founder or director (C-suite) of the company, who will be pitching.
Eligibility
- Startups with at least one woman in the founding or leadership team (C-suite).
- Startups that are actively raising capital from seed rounds to series A/B or planning an investment round within the next 12 months from the start of the call for applications.
- Startups with a high technological component or where science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are key pieces, including sectors such as fintech, edtech, agtech, healthtech, biotech, e-commerce, transportation/mobility, logistics, digital security, cleantech, tourism, SaaS for SMEs, among others.
- Legally incorporated startups with headquarters or operations in at least one country in Latin America or the Caribbean.
- Startups with highly scalable business models at a regional/global level and high potential for social and/or environmental impact.
- Founders who have not been selected as finalists in the last four editions, unless they apply with a new company.
Selection Criteria
- Profile of the founding team, previous experience, and ability to execute.
- Differentiating/disruptive element of the proposed solution.
- Growth potential & market size.
- Viability of the business model.
- Scalability potential.
- Potential for social and/or environmental impact.
- Performance and traction to date.
Application
The application will be submitted through an online application form. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m., ET).
For more information, visit WeXchange Women STEMpreneurs Competition.
