Unlock Her Future™ Prize 2026 Launches in East and Southeast Asia to Advance Impact Through Women's Leadership
London — The Unlock Her Future Prize is an annual start-up competition supported by The Bicester Collection for female entrepreneurs with social impact initiatives. The competition is being held for the first time in East and Southeast Asia in 2026 to advance its global commitment to women-led impact and purpose-oriented entrepreneurship.
Each year, this initiative follows the philosophy of “Global Vision, Local Engagement” as it moves into new regions to identify and support women launching and scaling transformative start-ups. Following the success of three regional editions — Middle East and North Africa (2023), Latin America (2024), and South Asia (2025) — the 2026 edition is accepting registrations from women aged 18 and above in East and Southeast Asia.
Applicants must present innovative ventures aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that address social, cultural, or environmental challenges. Start-ups may be at the idea or validation stage with a prototype in development, or at the launch or growth stage, with less than three years of operational history and revenue below USD 1 million.
Transformative Support for Visionary Founders
Supported by UN Women and delivered through a partnership with Ashoka, the Unlock Her Future Prize provides a powerful global platform that unlocks potential through capital, mentorship, and global visibility. Through a combination of financial support with educational and international networks, the award equips female entrepreneurs to build resilient businesses and deliver measurable and sustained impact.
Each winner receives:
Business grants of up to USD 100,000
An executive education programme delivered by leading academic partners
Access to international mentors from the expert community and global network of The Bicester Collection for visibility and collaboration
Addressing the Global Funding Gap
According to Harvard Business School, fewer than 3% of women-led ventures receive venture capital funding — meaning many high-potential ideas remain underfunded and underrepresented.
Launched in 2022, the Unlock Her Future Prize was created to help transform this reality. According to research from The Boston Consulting Group, equal participation in entrepreneurship could increase global GDP by 3-6% — up to USD 5 trillion — underscoring the economic and social imperative to invest in female founders.
As part of The Bicester Collection’s philanthropy programme, DO GOOD, the award directly addresses structural funding gaps whilst strengthening the global ecosystem of women changemakers. To date, approximately USD 900,000 in grants has been awarded to support 14 ventures aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Chantal Khoueiry, Chief Culture Officer at The Bicester Collection, said: “Entrepreneurship can be a remarkable force for systemic change. In East and Southeast Asia, many women are creating practical solutions to address challenges in their communities. Through the Unlock Her Future Prize, we are proud to bring The Bicester Collection’s global platform to this region — supporting women whose ideas combine innovation with real impact and helping them secure the capital, mentorship, and visibility needed to thrive.”
Growing Global Alumni Network
The 2026 winners will join a leading international alumni community consisting of social impact leaders advancing health and wellbeing, quality education, climate and water resilience, and gender equality.
MENA Edition 2023 Winners: Noor Jaber (Lebanon, NAWAT Health), Sara Lalla (Iraq/UAE, EcoCentric), Nubayr Zein (Egypt/UAE, Leaukeather), and Fella Bouti (Algeria, EcoTashira).
LATAM Edition 2024 Winners: Valentina Agudelo (Colombia, Salva Health), Thamires Pontes (Brazil, Phycolabs), Leydi Cruz (Bolivia, Agrimet), Annie Rosas (Mexico, BlueKali), and Young Changemaker Kristal del Valle (Guatemala).
South Asia Edition 2025 Winners: Nishat Palka (Bangladesh, MommyKidz), Amritha Krishnamoorthy (India, Stepping Stones Center), Jhillika Trisal (India, Cognitii), Nida Yousaf Sheikh (Pakistan, H20 Technologies), Sophiya Tamang (Nepal, Idea to Impact), and Yangchen Dorji (Bhutan, LEAD+).
Together, they represent a global network of women transforming the concept of entrepreneurship — with cross-sectoral collaboration to drive innovation and shape a sustainable future.
Selection Process and Timeline
Semi-finalists will be selected by an independent Selection Committee comprising international business leaders and social impact experts. Finalists will be asked to participate in a regional bootcamp and presentation day to present their ventures before a jury comprising leading women leaders from the region.
The East and Southeast Asia Edition 2026 Unlock Her Future Prize winners will be announced in October 2026 at an awards ceremony at Shanghai Village, part of Bicester Collection, marking the company’s 10th anniversary in 2026 and reaffirming its long-term commitment to the region.
Registrations are open until 30 April. For further information and to register, visit: https://www.thebicestercollection.com/en/do-good/unlock-her-future-2026/