Celebrating the women shaping tomorrow’s companies
Prosus Found-HER Challenge
What is Prosus Found-HER Challenge?
Prosus Found-HER Challenge is more than a competition. It is a recognition of the women who are already reshaping the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and a commitment to amplifying their impact. Through this initiative, we aim to spotlight bold female founders and co-founders who are ready to scale and inspire the next generation.
Previously launched in South Africa and India, the initiative now arrives in Romania through the partnership between Prosus and Endeavor Romania, marking the first edition in Central and Eastern Europe.
The program offers €100,000 in equity-free prizes and access to high-level investor and operator networks, supporting women founders building businesses ready to reach the next stage of growth.
The Reality for Women Founders
Women represent half of Europe’s population, but barely one-third of entrepreneurs.
In the startup world, the gap is even sharper: only about 15% of startup founders in Europe are women.
And when it comes to funding, the imbalance becomes impossible to ignore.
The Romanian Context
Romania follows the same pattern.
Women represent around 38% of entrepreneurs, but only one in four companies is fully owned by women.
Men are also significantly more likely to start new businesses, showing that the entrepreneurial ecosystem is still far from balanced.
Yet the potential is enormous.
Across Europe, 5.5 million additional women could become entrepreneurs if the barriers to starting and scaling businesses were removed.
Why the Prosus Found-HER Challenge?
Funding
Receive equity-free grants to accelerate your growth. The program offers a total prize pool of €100,000, awarded to the top three winners at the Grand Final, €50,000 for first place, €30,000 for second place, and €20,000 for third place.
Mentorship and networking
Beyond financial support, gain access to senior mentors within the Naspers-Prosus ecosystem, curated networking opportunities, and enhanced brand visibility.
Expert Feedback
Benefit from having your business assessed by a high-calibre panel of executives, investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
Platform and recognition
Be part of a unique platform to showcase your business ventures, expand your networks, and connect with influential decision-makers.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Become part of the Prosus Found-HER Challenge
Application
Tell us more about you as an entrepreneur and about your business by completing the form below. We want to understand your journey, your team, your product or service, the problem you are solving, and the current stage of your company.
Screening
Our team reviews all applications to ensure alignment with the initiative's criteria and goals. All women entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply and to carefully review the eligibility criteria below before submitting their application.
Tell us more
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be contacted by the Endeavor Romania team and will receive a detailed form to complete, including information about their team, business, and financials. This information will be used by the jury to evaluate applications and select the 10 finalists.
Pitch
The 10 finalists will take part in the Grand Final of the Prosus Found-HER Challenge, competing for a total prize pool of €100,000. On May 28, each finalist will pitch their business in front of our jury during a special event with around 100 guests, where the winners will be announced.
