--- title: "Financial Innovations for Women Affected by Migration (FIWAM)" url: https://www.seedstars.com/community/entrepreneurs/programs/fiwam/ --- PROGRAM # Growth Program for Fintech Solutions Financial Innovations for Women Affected by Migration (FIWAM) 1. [HOME](/) 2. [WHO WE WORK WITH](/community/) 3. [ENTREPRENEURS](/community/entrepreneurs/) 4. [SEEDSTARS PROGRAMS](/community/entrepreneurs/programs/) 5. FINANCIAL INNOVATIONS FOR WOMEN AFFECTED BY MIGRATION (FIWAM) ![Impact-Linked](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Impact-Linked-Finance-Fund-01.max-594x300.png) ![Austrian](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Website_Logo_Austrian.max-594x300.png) ![PHRD](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Swiss_logo_web-01.max-594x300.png) ![Seedstars](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Seedstarsweb-01.max-594x300.png) ![Trash](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Migration.max-1280x550.jpg) About the program Financial Innovations for Women Affected by Migration (FIWAM) is a Growth Program funded by the Impact-Linked Fund for Gender Inclusive Fintechs (ILF for GIF) and managed by the Impact-Linked Finance Fund. The goal is to provide Impact-Linked Finance and expert support for growth-stage fintechs interested in having a direct or indirect impact on financial inclusion for migrants, and especially women migrants. ### Selected startups - MENA [ ![tvvig](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/twig_webf.max-594x300.png) ](https://www.twig.ae/) [ ![savii](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/SAVII_web.max-594x300.png) ](https://www.saviibanking.com/) [ ![xpay](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/xpay.max-594x300.png) ](http://xpay.app) [ ![payday](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/FIWAM_Website_1.max-594x300.png) ](http://www.pdtakaful.com) [ ![savpals](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/savpals.max-594x300.png) ](http://www.savpals.com) [ ![slidemoney](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Slide_web.max-594x300.png) ](https://slide-money.com) [ ![planet9](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/5.max-594x300.png) ](http://planet9.ae) ### Selected Startups - ASIA [ ![helperapp](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_8.max-594x300.png) ](https://helperapp-sg.com/) [ ![chalo network](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_4.max-594x300.png) ](http://chalo.network) [ ![bandhu](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_2.max-594x300.png) ](https://www.bandhu.work) [ ![lts](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_16.max-594x300.png) ](http://www.ltsventures.com) [ ![ypay](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_39.max-594x300.png) ](https://www.ypayfinancial.com/) [ ![oayaids](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_22.max-594x300.png) ](https://www.payaidpayments.com) [ ![getmadcash](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_17.max-594x300.png) ](http://www.getmadcash.com) [ ![investorlounge](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_13.max-594x300.png) ](https://www.investorslounge.com/) [ ![insurecow](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_12.max-594x300.png) ](http://www.insurecow.com) [ ![Digisparsh](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_5.max-594x300.png) ](https://digisparsh.in/) [ ![capitallclub](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_3.max-594x300.png) ](https://www.capitall.club) [ ![mihuru](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_19.max-594x300.png) ](https://www.mihuru.com/) ### Selected Startups - SSA [ ![patapia](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_21.max-594x300.png) ](https://www.patapia.org/) [ ![inclusivitysolutions](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_11.max-594x300.png) ](https://inclusivitysolutions.com/) [ ![kyanda](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_15.max-594x300.png) ](https://kyanda.africa) [ ![regxta](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_26.max-594x300.png) ](https://www.regxta.com) [ ![incash](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_10.max-594x300.png) ](https://incash.africa/) [ ![transak](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_34.max-594x300.png) ](https://tranzak.net/) [ ![agrorite](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_40.max-594x300.png) ](http://www.agrorite.com) [ ![awabahng](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_1.max-594x300.png) ](http://www.awabahng.com) [ ![gigmile](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_7.max-594x300.png) ](http://www.gigmile.com) [ ![edusko](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_6.max-594x300.png) ](https://www.edusko.com/) [ ![mcash](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_18.max-594x300.png) ](https://www.mcash.ug/) [ ![sparkle](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_32.max-594x300.png) ](https://sparkle.ng/) [ ![vendy](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_37.max-594x300.png) ](https://vendy.ng/) [ ![paddycover](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_20.max-594x300.png) ](http://www.paddycover.com) [ ![kotanipay](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/logo151223500300fiwam_14.max-594x300.png) ](https://kotanipay.com) ## Meet the Mentors ### Meet the Mentors: details ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/SatwikG.max-376x376.png) HEAD OF GROWTH AND EIR Satwik Govindarajula [__](https://www.linkedin.com/sales/people/ACwAAAZLTdkBkNfib_0PBGsA3UKgTvOAQRqOfQA,NAME_SEARCH,zub0) ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Dinah_Hammond-Afful.max-376x376.jpg) MENTOR Dinah Amerley Hammond ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Debra_Ogilvie-Roodt.max-376x376.jpg) MENTOR Debra Ogilvie-Roodt ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Fredrik_Andersson.max-376x376.jpg) MENTOR Frederik Andersson ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Serdar1-01.max-376x376.jpg) DIRECTOR, EU TECH CHAMBER Serdar Yucel [__](https://www.linkedin.com/in/aserdaryucel/?originalSubdomain=de) ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Maria_JD_Sirotkina.max-376x376.jpg) MENTOR Maria Sirotkina [__](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariajd/?originalSubdomain=pt) ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Sam_Laakkonen.max-376x376.jpg) MENTOR Sam Laakkonen [__](https://www.linkedin.com/in/samlaakkonen/?originalSubdomain=uk\\) ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Hassan_Awada.max-376x376.jpg) MENTOR Hassan Awada [__](https://www.linkedin.com/in/hassanawada/details/education/) ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Wadih_Antoun.max-376x376.jpg) MENTOR Wadih Antoun [__](https://www.linkedin.com/in/wantoun/?originalSubdomain=lb) ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Nuno_Veloso.max-376x376.jpg) MENTOR Nuno Veloso ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Wei_Ting-Shao.max-376x376.jpg) MENTOR Ting-Shao Wei [__](https://www.linkedin.com/in/wei-ting-shao-joey-8876ab13b/) ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Diana_Teoh.max-376x376.jpg) MENTOR Diana Teoh [__](https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-teoh/?originalSubdomain=sg) ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Andrew_David_Herweg.max-376x376.jpg) MENTOR Andrew David Herweg [__](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-david-herweg/?originalSubdomain=be) ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Omer_Levent_Gokce.max-376x376.jpg) MENTOR Omer Levent Gokce [__](https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgokce/?originalSubdomain=tr) ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Ronke_Adepoju__MBA_PMP.max-376x376.jpg) MENTOR Aderonke Adepoju ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Jamin_M._Kusuania.max-376x376.jpg) EIR Jamin Mwendandu Kusuania ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Rupal_Kulkarni.max-376x376.jpg) EIR Rupal Ganesh Kulkarni ![Criteria](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Women.max-1280x550.jpg) Application Criteria * Must be a for-profit entity with operations in a Sub-Saharan African, MENA, or Asia * Provide a fintech solution. * Must have at least one year of active operations and be ready for growth * Woman-led companies are highly encouraged to apply! ## Program Timeline ### Program Timeline: details ![Timeline](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Timeline_Program_Seedstars_1.max-1285x1285.png) ## Benefits ### Benefits: details ![](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/technical-support.max-150x150.png) #### CAPACITY BUILDING Participate in cross-regional training sessions that help you set and achieve growth milestones through group sessions with finance and migration experts, to attain investment potential and scale your impact ![](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/mentoring.max-150x150.png) #### MENTORSHIP One-on-one coaching with an industry experts focused on helping you overcome your biggest business hurdles and increasing the reach of your financial solutions to women migrants and women affected by migration ![](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Mentorship_icon.max-150x150.png) #### PEER-TO-PEER NETWORK: Match with a founder in your track, allowing for knowledge-sharing and collaboration opportunities ![](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/view.max-150x150.png) #### VISIBILITY Exposure for yourself and your company on the program website and program marketing activities ![](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/sun.max-150x150.png) #### ACCESS TO DEMO DAY EVENTS For each regional track we will hold roundtable discussions as well as pitch events for an audience of potential strategic and financial partners ![](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/invest.max-150x150.png) #### CONSIDERATION FOR FUNDING All selected companies will be screened for eligibility to receive funding from the Impact-Linked Fund for Gender-Inclusive Fintech ## Program Background ### Program Background: details According to the recent report by Village Capital, ["Catalyzing Financial Inclusion: Gender-Inclusive Fintech Solutions for Migrants,"](https://newsandviews.vilcap.com/reports/catalyzing-financial-inclusion-fintech-solutions-for-migrants) globally, there’s an estimated [281 million international migrants](https://www.internal-displacement.org/global-report/grid2021/) and more than 55 million internally displaced persons. Many migrants choose or are forced to migrate due to economic challenges, conflict and climate change; amongst other reasons. They are exposed to significant challenges and vulnerabilities at departure, during their migration journey as well when they arrive at their destinations. One of the key obstacles they face is limited access to financial products tailored to their needs and particular situation. These challenges are even more evident with women migrants and women affected by migration, who also face cultural barriers, restricted mobility and higher illiteracy levels, in addition to existing barriers to financial access. **We 're looking to support startups building solutions to the following challenges faced by women migrants and women affected by migration:** Lack of access to financial services: Solutions that are improving access to banking services for women affected by migration, which include - identification solutions, solutions that allow for bank access from their country of origin, solutions that provide access to digital services, solutions that provide access to low-cost remittance products, solutions that provide mechanisms for alternative credit scores, solutions that provide access to unified and open Application Programme Interfaces (APIs). Language and Literacy Barriers: Solutions building products specifically for women affected by migration with a focus on improving digital and financial literacy, solutions improving migrant’s access to financial services, educational solutions that increase awareness of products available for migrants, solutions improving access and awareness of government services, policies that are targeted towards migrant populations. Lack of Trust: Solutions that are built with a deep understanding of local contexts; solutions that utilize informal economy practices; solutions that build their product and marketing plans for migrant populations; solutions that offer social and collaborative lending opportunities. Constraining external environment: Solutions that allow for digital forums for women affected by migration to connect, mobilize and raise grievances to the concerned authorities for resolutions; legal tech platforms that make it more accessible and affordable for the refugees and migrants to seek help against legal malpractices or policy gaps; cross-border insurance and pension products that allow migrants access social protection services from their country of origin. Unsteady income stream and limited job opportunities: Solutions that are creating innovative, affordable and more accessible financial products and services for migrants - low interest credit and loans, low ticket insurance products, social and collaborative lending solutions; solutions that facilitate learning and skills training to improve the employability of migrants; solutions that improve market access for migrant merchants and producers; solutions that facilitate the success or growth of migrant-led small and medium size enterprises such as point-of-sale terminals, payments processing, digital inventory management and more. Additional sources: World Migration Report 2022 [https://worldmigrationreport.iom.int/wmr-2022-interactive/](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://worldmigrationreport.iom.int/wmr-2022-interactive/&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1687879991449515&usg=AOvVaw05qNI2LnMk4EZM6ub0Z-pC) UNHCR Global Trends in Forced Displacement 2022 [https://www.unhcr.org/global-trends-report-2022](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.unhcr.org/global-trends-report-2022&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1687879991449651&usg=AOvVaw0CHHWoTb1NP40wwapstjMs) World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2022. (Chapter 4, Barriers to Migration) [https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-risks-report-2022/in-full/chapter-4-barriers-to-migration](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-risks-report-2022/in-full/chapter-4-barriers-to-migration&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1687879991449715&usg=AOvVaw1Di4kuTWr-Y6wM2DKgsh7N) ## About Partners ### About Partners: details [ ![Impact](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Impact_Linked_Web-01.max-320x550.png) ABOUT #### Impact-Linked Finance Fund (ILFF) The Impact-Linked Finance Fund (ILFF) provides finance to high-impact enterprises and directly rewards these for positive outcomes generated through their business activities. It was established by Roots of Impact and iGravity in order to pool their know-how and activities for implementing scalable Impact-Linked Funds. The Fund, set up as a Dutch foundation, is acting as a capital provider and knowledge hub for the practice of Impact-Linked Finance. We also advocate for embedding impact-related principles and terms in other areas of business, policy and finance. MORE INFO ](https://ilf-fund.org/) [ ![Austrian Development Cooperation](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Austrian_web-01.max-320x550.png) ABOUT #### Austrian Development Agency Combating poverty, ensuring peace and preserving the environment: These are the three major concerns of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation. ADA currently funds projects and programs with a total volume of more than 640 million euros to improve living conditions in developing countries. Together with the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, partner countries, public institutions, civil society organizations and businesses, ADA seeks to ensure that sustainable development works to the benefit of all people in Africa, Asia, Southeast and Eastern Europe. MORE INFO ](https://www.entwicklung.at/en/) [ ![PHRD](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Swiss_logo_web-01.max-320x550.png) ABOUT #### Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is the agency for international cooperation of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The SDC is responsible for the overall coordination with other federal authorities of development cooperation and cooperation with Eastern Europe as well as for humanitarian aid delivered by the Swiss Confederation. MORE INFO ](https://www.eda.admin.ch/deza/en/home.html) [ ![Seedstars](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/SeedstarsLogo-01.max-320x550.png) ABOUT #### Seedstars Seedstars is a Swiss-based company with a mission to impact people’s lives in emerging markets through technology and entrepreneurship. Seedstars works with the private and public sectors to implement entrepreneurial capacity-building programs in order to create jobs and fuel economic growth. MORE INFO ](https://seedstars.com/) ## Press release ### Press release: details [ ![Taunggyi e-commence hackathon seeks participants to help businesses in Shan State grow and create jo](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/article050523_thumbnail.max-320x550.png) ASIA • TECHNOLOGY #### Taunggyi e-commence hackathon seeks participants to help businesses in Shan State grow and create jobs The hackathon offers local, tech-savvy people an opportunity to find solutions to help small businesses survive the ongoing economic hardship in Myanmar. May. 05, 2023 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/taunggyi-e-commence-hackathon-seeks-participants-help-businesses-shan-state-grow-and-create-jobs/) [ ![UNESCAP and Seedstars launch an open call for startups to join the Smart Cities Innovation Lab](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/1545059_SmartCitiesInnovationLab_IGstoryA_02.max-320x550.jpg) ASIA • TECHNOLOGY #### UNESCAP and Seedstars launch an open call for startups to join the Smart Cities Innovation Lab The UNESCAP has launched an open call to startups across Asia to take part in the Smart Cities Innovation Lab (SCIL) Feb. 27, 2023 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/unescap-and-seedstars-launch-open-call-startups-join-smart-cities-innovation-lab/) [ ![Zenith Bank Pitching Competition announces Nigerian startups winner recipients of up to N53M](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/thumbnail_08122022_article.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • TECHNOLOGY #### Zenith Bank Pitching Competition announces Nigerian startups winner recipients of up to N53M The Zenith Bank Pitching Competition selected its startup winners receiving up to N53m (fifty-three million nairas) in cash prizes at the Zenith Tech Fair. Dec. 08, 2022 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/zenith-bank-pitching-competition-announces-nigerian-startups-winner-recipients-n53m/) [ ![Zenith Bank launches its nationwide pitch competition for Nigerian tech startups](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/10112022_newsroom_article_thumbnail.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • TECHNOLOGY #### Zenith Bank launches its nationwide pitch competition for Nigerian tech startups The Zenith Bank Pitching Competition launches its open call for entrepreneurs in Nigeria with tech solutions to innovate businesses from different industries. Nov. 09, 2022 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/zenith-bank-launches-its-nationwide-pitch-competition-nigerian-tech-startups/) --- ## Sitemap - [Sitemap](https://www.seedstars.com/sitemap.md): every public page on this site - [llms.txt](https://www.seedstars.com/llms.txt): what Seedstars does and where to start