Building Global Bridges: Women Strengthening BRICS Economic Boundaries
The BRICS Women’s Startups Contest 2025, a prestigious initiative by the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (BRICS WBA), is proud to announce its latest edition aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs across BRICS nations.
Organized by SEBRAE under Brazil’s BRICS Presidency, this contest highlights innovative, high-impact startups led by women, fostering economic integration and collaboration on a global scale.
As Brazil leads in 2025, this edition seeks to build on the success of its inaugural launch, offering a unique platform for visibility, networking, and business expansion within the BRICS ecosystem.
Organisation Background
The BRICS Women’s Business Alliance was established to promote female entrepreneurship and empower women through sustainable economic practices.
By creating a supportive framework, the Alliance aims to help women-led startups thrive, ensuring that they not only contribute to their local economies but also connect on a global scale.
The Contest serves as an essential mechanism in accomplishing these objectives and facilitating collaborative engagements across BRICS nations.
Objectives
- Foster Sustainable Development
- Promote Economic Inclusion
- Strengthen Integration Among BRICS Markets
- Support Innovation in Key Sectors
- Build Entrepreneurial Resilience
- Highlight Women-Led Solutions for Global Challenges
- Enhance Collaboration Between BRICS Nations
- Raise Awareness of Sustainable Business Practices
- Promote Technological Adoption and Digital Transformation
- Strengthen Local Economies Through Global Connections
Requirements
Residency & Market Presence:
- Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE) or BRICS partner countries (Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan).
- Alternatively, they must operate primarily within BRICS markets or have a clear expansion plan into these regions.
Female Leadership Role:
- Must hold a key leadership position (Founder, Co-Founder, or equivalent).
- Must play an active role in the startup’s operations & strategy.
- Multidisciplinary teams with diverse expertise are encouraged.
Innovation & Scalability:
- Must be an innovation-driven startup addressing significant challenges.
- Should have a strong technological foundation, leveraging AI, Blockchain, IoT, or advanced tech.
- Deep-tech ventures based on cutting-edge scientific research are encouraged.
- Must demonstrate growth potential and scalability within and beyond BRICS markets.
Business Stage:
Startups will compete in three different development stages:
Early-stage: Startups in the MVP or prototype phase focusing on validating their concepts and establishing a foundation for growth.
Growth: Startups with an established product or service that has achieved initial customer engagement, refining their models and expanding operations.
Scale-up: Mature startups that have achieved significant growth and are expanding into new markets, demonstrating strong operational performance.
Categories
- Healthcare and Wellbeing
- Agriculture and Food Security
- Education and Skills Development
- Energy, Infrastructure, and Mobility
- Commerce, Service, and Digital Transformation
- Sustainable Development and Climate Solutions
Awards
- A trip to Rio de Janeiro (1-8 July 2025) for 18 finalists, including:
- Visits to top innovation hubs & businesses
- Networking with investors & industry leaders
- Participation in the BRICS Business Forum & Award Ceremony
Evaluation Criteria
- Innovation: 20%
- Positive Impact: 20%
- Scalability in BRICS Markets: 15%
- Commercial Viability: 15%
- Partnerships & Networks: 10%
- Technical Capability: 10%
- Processes, Intellectual Property & Operations: 5%
- Presentation Quality: 5%
Evaluation Stages
- Qualification: Screening of applications to confirm eligibility regarding residency and leadership criteria.
- Technical Analysis: Sector-specific experts conduct an in-depth evaluation of applications.
- Final Review: Shortlisted applications are evaluated for strategic alignment with BRICS priorities.
Timeline
- 26 March: Contest Launch at WE Forum; Submissions Open
- 4 May: Submissions Deadline
- June: Winners Announcement
- 1-4 July: Rio Technical Mission
- 5-7 July: Awards Ceremony at the BRICS Summit
- 8 July: Finalists Return
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