Unlocking the Future of South Asia
Introduction to the Program
The winner of the South Asia Edition of a prestigious program receives a scholarship of up to $100,000 as well as leadership training and mentoring. A global organization known for supporting changemakers and housing one of the world’s largest networks of social entrepreneurs will offer a 12-month mentoring program. Academic support is provided by the Saïd Business School from Oxford University. Almost 3,000 applicants applied for the program in the region, with over half coming from India. A jury has narrowed down the field to 11 entrepreneurs.
The Judges
The judges include a chairman and global chief dealer of a notable collection; a chairman of a Bangladesh conglomerate, Vice Chancellor of Asian University for Women, poet, and motivation speaker; a founder and group management director of a Sri Lankan logistics company; and a social entrepreneur, TV presenter, and former Miss Nepal Earth.
Overcoming Structural Obstacles
"We live at a time when women-led businesses in South Asia face significant structural and financial obstacles, with only about 18 percent of companies having women in possession," says one of the judges. She believes that the program will enable its winners to turn their concepts into reality. "It will create a stage for others and give them the boldness to climb to new heights."
The Finalists
The start-ups that have made it to the 2025 final are all progressive initiatives aimed at achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. These include strengthening craftsmen, promoting fair access to education and childcare, reproductive healthcare, and finding solutions for waste management.
Emerging Trends
"Topics that emerged from this year’s South Asia entries include deep local roots, scalable vision, and technology as a lever for equity and systemic change," says a key figure involved in the program. "While the topics themselves were not unexpected, the depth, creativity, and urgency behind them certainly were. These women are not only responding to problems – they are creating new systems. And that’s where the real spark is: in ideas that were born in South Asia but have the power to sway the world."
The Road to the Award
The finalists will undergo an intensive boot camp delivered by Oxford’s Saïd Business School and a live pitch session in front of the judges. The winners will be unveiled on November 19 at an award ceremony in London, which coincides with Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. The program will also announce its next issue and the region that will be the focus for 2026. "Our card continues to grow," says a spokesperson. "New possibilities are created with each issue. I won’t ruin the surprise yet, but the next market will feel both familiar and full of fresh possibilities."
