Latest news with #She'sNext
TECHx
16-07-2025
- Business
- TECHx
Visa Launches She's Next Initiative in Saudi Arabia
Home » Emerging technologies » Fintech » Visa Launches She's Next Initiative in Saudi Arabia Visa (NYSE: V), digital payments, has announced the launch of a new edition of its global advocacy initiative, She's Next in Entrepreneurship, in Saudi Arabia. This initiative is in partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) and Monsha'at. This latest launch builds on Visa's long-standing commitment to supporting women-led businesses in the region. Applications are open until July 21, 2025, for women entrepreneurs across Saudi Arabia. Five finalists will be announced on August 1. They will participate in a pitch event and final judging on September 2. Three winners will be selected to receive equity-free grants totaling USD 60,000: Main Prize: USD 30,000 Runner-Up: USD 20,000 People's Favorite: USD 10,000 The program is open to women from all sectors, from established businesses to emerging startups with high-growth potential. Haya Sawan, a fitness expert and wellness entrepreneur in Saudi Arabia, joins the program as mentor. She leads several ventures, including SheFit and Playball Saudi, and serves on the board of the Saudi Surfing Federation. Ali Bailoun, Visa's Regional General Manager in KSA, Bahrain, and Oman, said the program supports more than just funding. It offers mentorship, recognition, and growth opportunities aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. He cited Visa's Women SMB Digitalization study, which found that 50% of women business owners want to expand their services, and 20% seek better financial skills. Lama Ghazzaoui, Chief Financial Officer at SAB, said that empowering women is a core commitment at the bank. She highlighted the growing impact of women-led businesses in the country. Monsha'at emphasized that empowering women entrepreneurs is key to national prosperity. The organization believes access to tools, mentorship, and funding enables women to drive innovation and job creation. Visa reported that this initiative follows successful past editions focused on fashion, gaming, and sports. It now returns to spotlight broader entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia. In 2023, Visa and the International Trade Centre (ITC) trained 340 women across six countries under the SheTrades and She's Next programs. These initiatives supported over 12,000 women employees. Globally, Visa has invested approximately USD 3 million since 2020 in grants and coaching for over 250 women SMB owners, including in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
41% of Kuwaiti startups are female-led: How women are disrupting e-commerce, fintech and culture
Kuwaiti women are emerging as key innovators in the Gulf's startup landscape, empowered by policy reform, digital access, and a new culture of economic participation/Image: Instagram TL;DR: Female-led startups now form around 41 percent of the Kuwaiti ecosystem, spearheading industries such as e‑commerce, wellness, and fintech. Government initiatives under Kuwait Vision 2035 and mentorship networks like KWEEP are offering funding, training, and professional access. Success stories include brands like Boutiqaat and Lei Wa Lakom founders, women-led ventures creating both economic impact and cultural change. A Rising Force in GCC Tech Spaces Kuwait i women are becoming a formidable force in the Gulf's entrepreneurial ecosystem, emerging as key drivers of innovation and new business ventures. Across the region, women's participation in startups has been growing steadily, but Kuwait is now leading the charge with an impressive share of women-led initiatives, particularly in sectors like e-commerce, fintech, wellness, and education technology. Recent regional studies, including data from the MENA Women Business Club, suggest that nearly 41 percent of startups in Kuwait have at least one female founder, which is among the highest ratios in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This rise is fueled by a combination of progressive government policies, digital transformation, and increasing access to funding tailored for female entrepreneurs. This momentum reflects a broader societal openness in Kuwait towards female participation in business, distinguishing it from more conservative norms seen in parts of the region. Policy and Platforms Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Kuwait Vision 2035 promotes private-sector dynamism and women's leadership in the economy. Initiatives such as 'She's Next' by Visa and NBK offer grants of up to USD 50,000, training, and networks. These focus on digital readiness, leadership and security awareness, addressing key hurdles in scaling women-led startups (talent, partnerships, digital adoption). KWEEP (Kuwait Women's Economic Empowerment Platform), supported by Gulf Bank and local corporates, launched mentorship streams and leadership bootcamps to foster female workplace advancement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Klik Di Sini Undo The Kuwait Digital Startup Campus Pre‑Accelerator, backed by Boeing and the Youth Public Authority, targets nationals aged 18–35, further expanding access to entrepreneurial tools. Startup Stories Driven and Powered by Kuwaiti Women Advocate and founder of Lei Wa Lakom/Image: Instagram One of the standout examples of Kuwaiti women's entrepreneurial success is 'Boutiqaat', founded by 'Abdullah Al Essa' but driven in large part by the creative and managerial contributions of Kuwaiti women who have shaped the brand's influencer-centric model. The platform redefined the e-commerce landscape in the region by merging online retail with social media culture. Through curated selections by popular influencers, Boutiqaat offers customers a personalised shopping journey that blends beauty, fashion, and technology. This strategy not only revolutionised how products are marketed but also demonstrated the commercial power of regional social influencers, many of whom are women. Another significant initiative is 'Lei Wa Lakom', established by 'Taiba Al-Humaidhi', a trailblazing Kuwaiti entrepreneur known for her work in social impact and innovation. The platform is designed as a creative collaboration space where professionals, artists, and entrepreneurs converge to exchange ideas, find mentorship, and foster community-led projects. Taiba's vision was to create a cultural movement that empowers individuals to turn their passions into viable business ventures, all while promoting inclusivity and societal progress. Additional businesses include startups bridging traditional crafts with digital marketplaces, mindful wellness platforms like One Moment Please, and socially-conscious ventures in eco solutions led by women. The Economic and Cultural Ripple Effects Boosting GDP and job creation A GCC-wide study projects that achieving gender-balanced entrepreneurship could add up to USD 812-Billion in GDP over three years. Kuwaiti women spearheading startups are a key part of this economic shift. Changing social expectations Women now occupy visible leadership roles across finance, retail, and tech. Gulf Bank, a KWEEP sponsor, rose female leadership from 10 to 30 percent in a decade, and women now make up 42 percent of its workforce. These examples serve to normalise women's professional prominence. Tech and innovation strides Women-led startups are breaking ground in high-growth sectors—fintech, health-tech, e-commerce, sustainability spurring tech talent pipelining and inspiring future entrepreneurs . Barriers Persist, But Resolve Is Strong Funding inequity Despite female leadership gains, women-led startups in MENA still receive just around 1–1.5 percent of total venture capital. Local investors cite cultural bias and risk concerns as barriers. Bureaucracy and market control Reddit user discussions highlight obstacles such as complex licensing, family-owned monopolies, majority Kuwaiti ownership mandates for nationals, and red tape. These structural limitations burden male and female entrepreneurs alike, but disproportionately affect women without familial or social capital. Cultural resistance While policies support women's economic roles, traditional norms remain a constraint. However, mentorship, visibility, and success stories are gradually reshaping perceptions . Momentum and What's Next Kuwaiti women entrepreneurs now benefit from supportive ecosystems, yet several steps can propel further growth: Expand funding : Public buy-ins and gender-targeted VC could cut the current equity gap. Refine regulations : Simplifying licensing and opening more national SME pathways would reduce friction. Scale mentorship : Platforms like KWEEP can connect seasoned founders with emerging talent. Promote success : Highlighting women founders can shift cultural narratives and inspire future professionals. Kuwait's government also plans broader digital, creative, and private sector support through infrastructure and education reform aligned with Vision 2035. Verdict: Kuwaiti women are not only participating in the startup economy, they are rewriting its rules. Through startups like Boutiqaat, Lei Wa Lakom and countless others, women founders are proving their ability to drive economic diversity, social change, and cultural transformation. As Kuwait Vision 2035 emphasises private sector leadership and women's advancement, the surge in female-led startups signals a future where innovation flows more equitably and where gender becomes an enabler, not a barrier. Continued push on access to venture capital, bureaucratic reform, and cultural equity will determine whether this entrepreneurial wave becomes a lasting tide.
San Francisco Chronicle
20-06-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
US flag football star Ashlea Klam and Houston Texans push for recognition of sport for Texas girls
HOUSTON (AP) — When U.S. Women's Flag National Team member Ashlea Klam was in high school in Texas, her school wouldn't let her participate in signing day, even though she had earned a scholarship to play flag football collegiately. 'It was extremely hurtful knowing all of the work that I put in and my high school didn't want to celebrate it,' she recalled this week. Klam hopes other girls don't have to experience what she did, and she's working with the Houston Texans Foundation and the franchise's She's Next movement as the Texans' global flag ambassador to help promote female participation in the sport in Texas and beyond. This week, as the U.S. women's and girls teams assembled in California for USA Football's Summer Series, Klam and the rest of the players were celebrated, receiving curated gift boxes from the Texans and foundation vice president Hannah McNair. The boxes featured items players had requested, including headgear, gloves, sports bras, arm sleeves, slides and jumpsuits, all adorned with the She's Next slogan and the Texans' logo. 'We absolutely loved it,' said Klam, who has led Keiser University to the NAIA flag football national championship game the past two seasons. 'It was things that true flag football players want. It's really exciting to know that we are being seen and that we are being heard, and especially from organizations like the Houston Texans, and knowing that they really stepped up to make all of the (teams) and women who are part of USA Football feel really special.' Men's and women's flag football will be Olympic sports for the first time in Los Angeles in 2028. McNair and the Texans foundation began focusing on girls' flag football in 2023 and she's been thrilled to see growth in the sport among school-age girls in the last two years. 'I'm so excited about it,' she said. 'The growth of the sport, the excitement, the empowerment it gives females being able to play football. We know what it can do to communities and for individuals but pushing that towards scholarships and educational opportunities for these female athletes is something that we're really focused on.' High school girls' flag football is currently sanctioned as a varsity sport in 15 states, and McNair and the Texans are working with policymakers in the state to push Texas to sanction it. For now, the team's girls flag football program includes more than 2,000 high school athletes in Houston, Austin and El Paso. McNair attended the championships in Houston and El Paso recently and loved seeing the impact the game is making. 'It is emotional and also so moving and inspiring to see these athletes and the excitement they have on the field with their teammates, the celebrations,' she said. 'To me it's the ultimate team sport, and to be able to push this sport forward with the interest of all these high school girls and young female athletes has been something that continues to help push us to this next step of trying to get it sanctioned here in Texas.' That's something Klam hopes happens soon so that girls playing flag football in the state will have opportunities she lacked. 'I think it's crazy that I've been able to represent my country at this level, but I was never able to represent my high school,' she said. 'So having that sanctioned and giving so many more girls the opportunity and allowing them to feel like this is something that we're serious about and you have a future, that would would mean a lot to me.' ___
Hamilton Spectator
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
US flag football star Ashlea Klam and Houston Texans push for recognition of sport for Texas girls
HOUSTON (AP) — When U.S. Women's Flag National Team member Ashlea Klam was in high school in Texas, her school wouldn't let her participate in signing day, even though she had earned a scholarship to play flag football collegiately. 'It was extremely hurtful knowing all of the work that I put in and my high school didn't want to celebrate it,' she recalled this week. Klam hopes other girls don't have to experience what she did, and she's working with the Houston Texans Foundation and the franchise's She's Next movement as the Texans' global flag ambassador to help promote female participation in the sport in Texas and beyond. This week, as the U.S. women's and girls teams assembled in California for USA Football's Summer Series, Klam and the rest of the players were celebrated, receiving curated gift boxes from the Texans and foundation vice president Hannah McNair. The boxes featured items players had requested, including headgear, gloves, sports bras, arm sleeves, slides and jumpsuits, all adorned with the She's Next slogan and the Texans' logo. 'We absolutely loved it,' said Klam, who has led Keiser University to the NAIA flag football national championship game the past two seasons. 'It was things that true flag football players want. It's really exciting to know that we are being seen and that we are being heard, and especially from organizations like the Houston Texans, and knowing that they really stepped up to make all of the (teams) and women who are part of USA Football feel really special.' Men's and women's flag football will be Olympic sports for the first time in Los Angeles in 2028. McNair and the Texans foundation began focusing on girls' flag football in 2023 and she's been thrilled to see growth in the sport among school-age girls in the last two years. 'I'm so excited about it,' she said. 'The growth of the sport, the excitement, the empowerment it gives females being able to play football. We know what it can do to communities and for individuals but pushing that towards scholarships and educational opportunities for these female athletes is something that we're really focused on.' High school girls' flag football is currently sanctioned as a varsity sport in 15 states, and McNair and the Texans are working with policymakers in the state to push Texas to sanction it. For now, the team's girls flag football program includes more than 2,000 high school athletes in Houston, Austin and El Paso. McNair attended the championships in Houston and El Paso recently and loved seeing the impact the game is making. 'It is emotional and also so moving and inspiring to see these athletes and the excitement they have on the field with their teammates, the celebrations,' she said. 'To me it's the ultimate team sport, and to be able to push this sport forward with the interest of all these high school girls and young female athletes has been something that continues to help push us to this next step of trying to get it sanctioned here in Texas.' That's something Klam hopes happens soon so that girls playing flag football in the state will have opportunities she lacked. 'I think it's crazy that I've been able to represent my country at this level, but I was never able to represent my high school,' she said. 'So having that sanctioned and giving so many more girls the opportunity and allowing them to feel like this is something that we're serious about and you have a future, that would would mean a lot to me.' ___ AP NFL:
Fox Sports
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
US flag football star Ashlea Klam and Houston Texans push for recognition of sport for Texas girls
Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — When U.S. Women's Flag National Team member Ashlea Klam was in high school in Texas, her school wouldn't let her participate in signing day, even though she had earned a scholarship to play flag football collegiately. 'It was extremely hurtful knowing all of the work that I put in and my high school didn't want to celebrate it,' she recalled this week. Klam hopes other girls don't have to experience what she did, and she's working with the Houston Texans Foundation and the franchise's She's Next movement as the Texans' global flag ambassador to help promote female participation in the sport in Texas and beyond. This week, as the U.S. women's and girls teams assembled in California for USA Football's Summer Series, Klam and the rest of the players were celebrated, receiving curated gift boxes from the Texans and foundation vice president Hannah McNair. The boxes featured items players had requested, including headgear, gloves, sports bras, arm sleeves, slides and jumpsuits, all adorned with the She's Next slogan and the Texans' logo. 'We absolutely loved it,' said Klam, who has led Keiser University to the NAIA flag football national championship game the past two seasons. 'It was things that true flag football players want. It's really exciting to know that we are being seen and that we are being heard, and especially from organizations like the Houston Texans, and knowing that they really stepped up to make all of the (teams) and women who are part of USA Football feel really special.' Men's and women's flag football will be Olympic sports for the first time in Los Angeles in 2028. McNair and the Texans foundation began focusing on girls' flag football in 2023 and she's been thrilled to see growth in the sport among school-age girls in the last two years. 'I'm so excited about it,' she said. 'The growth of the sport, the excitement, the empowerment it gives females being able to play football. We know what it can do to communities and for individuals but pushing that towards scholarships and educational opportunities for these female athletes is something that we're really focused on.' High school girls' flag football is currently sanctioned as a varsity sport in 15 states, and McNair and the Texans are working with policymakers in the state to push Texas to sanction it. For now, the team's girls flag football program includes more than 2,000 high school athletes in Houston, Austin and El Paso. McNair attended the championships in Houston and El Paso recently and loved seeing the impact the game is making. 'It is emotional and also so moving and inspiring to see these athletes and the excitement they have on the field with their teammates, the celebrations,' she said. 'To me it's the ultimate team sport, and to be able to push this sport forward with the interest of all these high school girls and young female athletes has been something that continues to help push us to this next step of trying to get it sanctioned here in Texas.' That's something Klam hopes happens soon so that girls playing flag football in the state will have opportunities she lacked. 'I think it's crazy that I've been able to represent my country at this level, but I was never able to represent my high school,' she said. 'So having that sanctioned and giving so many more girls the opportunity and allowing them to feel like this is something that we're serious about and you have a future, that would would mean a lot to me.' ___ AP NFL: recommended in this topic
