Empowering Africa's Next Generation of Female Founders

Empowering Africa's Next Generation of Female Founders

Building Brilliant 

Women-Led Startups

Building Brilliant 

Women-Led Startups

Building Brilliant 

Women-Led Startups

Startup Knowledge Development Foundation (SKDF) equips women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, mentorship, and networks needed to build scalable businesses and sustainable ventures.

Startup Knowledge Development Foundation (SKDF) equips women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, mentorship, and networks needed to build scalable businesses and sustainable ventures.

90+
90+

FEMALE FOUNDERS SUPPORTED

FEMALE FOUNDERS SUPPORTED

0m+
0m+

CAPITAL RAISED

5+
5+

Countries

Across Africa

Countries

Across Africa

OUR MISSION

Closing the gender gap in Africa's startup ecosystem

Closing the gender gap in Africa's startup ecosystem

Closing the gender gap in Africa's startup ecosystem

We believe that when women founders have access to the same knowledge, networks, and capital as their male peers, transformative companies emerge. SKDF exists to close that gap — one founder at a time.

We believe that when women founders have access to the same knowledge, networks, and capital as their male peers, transformative companies emerge. SKDF exists to close that gap — one founder at a time.

"When women lead, communities thrive."

"When women lead, communities thrive."

"When women lead, communities thrive."

OUR IMPACT

Building Stronger

Startup Ecosystems

Building Stronger

Startup Ecosystems

Building Stronger

Startup Ecosystems

SKDF works at the intersection of entrepreneurship, education, and community development. Our programs are designed to help female founders gain the tools, insights, and connections they need to succeed.


Through our initiatives, we aim to:

SKDF works at the intersection of entrepreneurship, education, and community development. Our programs are designed to help female founders gain the tools, insights, and connections they need to succeed.


Through our initiatives, we aim to:

01

Support emerging female entrepreneurs

02

Strengthen startup leadership skills

03

Provide mentorship and business education

04

Create access to valuable networks and opportunities

OUR PROGRAMS

Built for every stage

Built for every stage

Built for every stage

EnableHer Accelerator

EnableHer Accelerator

A 12-week intensive accelerator for early-stage female founders, with mentorship, curriculum, and demo day access.

A 12-week intensive accelerator for early-stage female founders, with mentorship, curriculum, and demo day access.

A 12-week intensive accelerator for early-stage female founders, with mentorship, curriculum, and demo day access.

Founder Workshops

Founder Workshops

Monthly deep-dive workshops on fundraising, GTM strategy, hiring, product development, and investor relations.

Monthly deep-dive workshops on fundraising, GTM strategy, hiring, product development, and investor relations.

Mentorship Matching

Mentorship Matching

Personalized pairing with vetted mentors from leading startups, VC firms, and Fortune 500 companies

Personalized pairing with vetted mentors from leading startups, VC firms, and Fortune 500 companies

Founders Forum

Founders Forum

Quarterly in-person gatherings bringing together our founder community for collaboration and connection.

Quarterly in-person gatherings bringing together our founder community for collaboration and connection.

Pitch Readiness

Pitch Readiness

Investor pitch coaching, deck reviews, and warm introductions for founders preparing to fundraise.

Investor pitch coaching, deck reviews, and warm introductions for founders preparing to fundraise.

Investor pitch coaching, deck reviews, and warm introductions for founders preparing to fundraise.

Ideation Bootcamp

Ideation Bootcamp

A 4-week program for aspiring founders to validate ideas, find co-founders, and build initial MVPs.

A 4-week program for aspiring founders to validate ideas, find co-founders, and build initial MVPs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help

Find answers to common questions about SKDF, our programs, events, and opportunities to get involved. If you need additional information, feel free to contact our team.

Find answers to common questions about SKDF, our programs, events, and opportunities to get involved. If you need additional information, feel free to contact our team.

What is the Startup Knowledge Development Foundation (SKDF)?

Who can participate in SKDF programs?

What types of programs does SKDF offer?

What is the EnableHer Business Lunch & Learn?

How can I attend SKDF events?

How can I partner with SKDF?

Help us support the next 500 founders

Help us support the next 500 founders

Your partnership funds scholarships, workshops, and infrastructure that gives female founders an equal shot.

Your partnership funds scholarships, workshops, and infrastructure that gives female founders an equal shot.

Help us support the next 500 founders

Your partnership funds scholarships, workshops, and infrastructure that gives female founders an equal shot.

Make a Donation

Startup Knowledge Development Foundation -empowering female entrepreneurs through mentorship, training, and networks across Africa.

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