SOUTH ASIA FINANCE FACILITY FOR ACCELERATION AND LEVERAGE
If you are a women-led SME developing solutions or running a business in the clean energy and low carbon technology sector, apply now.
ABOUT PROJECT SAFFAL.
SAFFAL (South Asia Finance Facility for Acceleration and Leverage) is dedicated to empowering women-led SMEs in South Asia to scale clean energy and low carbon technology solutions, driving both environmental impact and gender equity.
- For women-led changemakers – If you run an SME in South Asia tackling climate challenges in clean energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management, or related sectors, SAFFAL is for you.
- Powered by global partners – Backed by Massive Earth Foundation, UNEP, UN Women, and funded under the EmPower programme by the Governments of Sweden, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Germany.
- Designed for your growth – Gain expert-led capacity building, funding access, and a strong support network to scale your climate impact.
If you are a women-led SME building solutions to fight climate change — apply now.
FOCUS SECTOR
The program targets SMEs addressing one or more of the following key sectors:
FOCUS SECTOR
The program targets SMEs addressing one or more of the following key sectors:
Carbon Removal
Women-led innovations that capture and store carbon through biochar, composting, bio-fertilizers, regenerative agriculture and more
Renewable Energy
Women-driven adoption of solar, wind, hydro, and biomass solutions for clean energy access
Energy Efficiency
Enterprises enabling women to deploy efficient appliances, building upgrades, and agricultural systems that reduce energy use and costs
Fuel Switching
Women-led ventures replacing polluting fuels with cleaner, renewable alternatives for households and industries
Waste Management
Women-led solutions turning organic, plastic, e-waste, textile, and construction waste into valuable products and resources
Agri-Tech
Women-driven innovations using technology to improve crop yields, soil health, irrigation efficiency, and climate resilience in agriculture
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
investors Connect
1
Enterprises enabling women to deploy efficient appliances, building upgrades, and agricultural systems that reduce energy use and costs.
Capacity Building Accelerator Program
3
Support 100 SMEs through tailored technical assistance on business development, financial literacy, and scaling strategies, making them investment-ready.
Ecosystem Strengthening
2
Build a supportive, gender-inclusive ecosystem for women-led SMEs in clean energy and low carbon technology through acceleration, mentorship, and market access.
Blended Finance Innovation
4
$6 million catalytic capital blended finance facility for women-led and impact-focused clean energy and low carbon technology enterprises.
Regional Collaboration
5
Facilitate cross-border learning and cooperation among donors, investors, accelerators, and government partners to advance gender-responsive clean energy and low carbon technology financing.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
investors Connect
1
The program aims to foster collaboration among donors, impact investors, philanthropic organizations and more to support innovative climate tech startups, while connecting them to leading women-led SMEs
Ecosystem Strengthening
2
Build a supportive, gender-inclusive ecosystem for climate-tech
startups working at the grass root level through acceleration, mentorship, and market access.
Capacity Building Accelerator Program
3
Support 100 SMEs through tailored technical assistance on business development, financial literacy, and scaling strategies. Focused on capacity building and making them investment-ready.
Blended Finance Innovation
4
$6 Million catalytic capital blended finance facility for women-led and impact-focused climate enterprises.
Regional Collaboration
5
Facilitate cross-border learning and cooperation among donors, investors, accelerators, and government partners to mainstream gender-responsive climate financing.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
1
Strategic Guidance & Mentorship, workshop on
- Product Development and Refinement
- Team and Organisation Structure
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Negotiation Skills: Understanding Stakeholders
- Pricing Strategy
- Branding & Marketing
- Operations Management: Supply Chain & Logistics
- Term Sheet & SHA Fundamentals
- Financial Modelling
- Valuation & Deal Structuring
2
Engage with regional stakeholders and support ecosystem
3
One-on-one sessions with leading mentors to make your SME investment ready
4
An opportunity for investment by Massive Earth Foundation determined on a case-by-case basis
5
Access to Partner Funds
6
Strategic Partnerships for the Accelerator Program
- Complimentary credits to all selected startups from Google Cloud, Microsoft and HubSpot
- Gain access to industry experts with specialized domain knowledge, tailored to meet your specific needs and provide dedicated support.
SAFFAL LAUNCH VIDEO
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Supporting women-led SMEs from across the Indian Subcontinent
Program Duration
12-week intensive program with two sessions every week
Program launch | 08-09-2025
Program Launch and Call for Applications Open
Applications Close | 31-10-2025
Applications close and startup evaluation and selection begins
SAFFAL Bootcamp Begins | 01-12-2025
SAFFAL Bootcamp Begins | 01-12-2025
Commencement of 3-month online bootcamp with experts and mentors for shortlisted startups
Demo Day | March 2026 (Tentative)
In-person Demo Day for top startups of the cohort
Supported by
SAFFAL is supported by EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies Programme (EmPower). Jointly implemented by UN Women and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) with support from the Governments of Germany, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland, EmPower is dedicated to empowering women and marginalized groups to take the lead in building climate-resilient communities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Enterprise must be based in or operating in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, or Sri Lanka.
- Must be a women-led startup or SME.
- Must operate in or align with the program’s focus sectors.
- Must already be using clean or renewable energy solutions in operations.
- Must have demonstrable environmental and/or social impact.
- Must be a legal and registered entity.
Eligibility Criteria
- The enterprise must be based in or operating in one of the following countries – India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
- Must be a startup or SME which is women-led
- Must operate in or have strong alignment with the programs focus sectors
- Enterprises must already be using clean or renewable energy solutions in their operations
- Must have a demonstrable environmental and/or social impact
- Must be a legal and registered entity
