Visa and Halyk Bank have opened registration for She’s Next 2026, the fifth wave of the prestigious global empowerment initiative for female entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan. The total prize pool is 30 million KZT, divided among four category winners: 10 million KZT each for “Operating Business” and “Inclusive Business”, and 5 million KZT each for “Early-Stage Business” and “IT Business”.
Registration remains open until November 8, 2026 across all regions of Kazakhstan.
Prize Structure and Taxation
The headline amounts of 10 million and 5 million KZT are net payouts following individual income tax withholding. Before withholding, the prize amounts equal 11 million and 5.5 million KZT respectively; the tax is settled by the organizing agency as a registered tax agent. Grants are disbursed directly into corporate accounts at Halyk Bank within 30 days of the grand finale.
Alongside the financial awards, participants complete an educational phase featuring webinars by prominent business coaches and founders from November 9 to 22. In parallel, regional Public Talks are conducted in Aktobe, Pavlodar, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Karaganda, and Shymkent.
Over the four preceding editions of the program in Kazakhstan, 14 female entrepreneurs received an aggregate of 46.5 million KZT in non-dilutive capital.
Eligibility Requirements
- Female citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan aged 18 and older.
- Business formalization is not required for the “Early-Stage Business” category; founders with a validated business plan or prototype are eligible.
- Ownership structure requirement: The enterprise must be fully female-owned. Joint ventures with male co-founders or family businesses legally registered to husbands do not qualify.
- Prohibited sectors: Projects involving alcohol, tobacco, gambling, weapons, counterfeit goods, and unscientific alternative healing methods are strictly excluded.
Evaluation and Selection Flow
- Application & Education (Oct 1 – Nov 22): Profile creation and participation in open business webinars.
- Business Plan Submission (Nov 23 – Dec 13): Applicants submit comprehensive plans detailing financial models, growth strategy, and grant expenditure budgets.
- Shortlist of 40 Projects: A selection committee evaluates submissions across business viability, social impact, market potential, and presentation quality, advancing 10 projects per track.
- Semi-Final Pitching: 40 candidates pitch online to select 12 finalists (3 per category).
- Grand Final in Almaty (Jan 22, 2027): Finalists pitch live before an executive jury to determine the 4 winners. Travel and accommodation expenses for finalists are fully covered by the organizers.
Grant Accountability
Grants must be directed toward scaling operational infrastructure, procuring commercial equipment, or funding technology development. Winners submit quarterly expenditure reports with verified financial documentation throughout the year following disbursement.
