Women's Calendar of Opportunities in Technology and Entrepreneurship for September 2026

CAWEP 2.0
A free seven-week online program in Russian for 35 female entrepreneurs from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Participants will learn about AI and digital business tools, online sales and marketplaces, digital financial management, Business Model Canvas and development strategies, and will receive mentoring support. The program will conclude with an in-person networking event in Bishkek on December 1-2, 2026.

Application deadline: September 14

Elevate Women Global Hackathon 2026
An international online hackathon for women who want to try their hand at AI and create their first project. Participants will enjoy a free week of preparation with training in AI tools, no-code development, and pitching, followed by a hackathon weekend with mentors and a Demo Day. No prior development experience is required—the format is designed for beginners and helps them go from idea to project or MVP in just a few weeks.

When: September 14-18 — training, September 19-20 — hackathon, September 25 — Demo Day

Free IT Program Digital Kaleidoscope
School 21, Women in Tech Uzbekistan, and UNICEF, with financial support from the European Union, are launching a free IT program, Digital Kaleidoscope, for girls aged 18-24 from the Fergana, Andijan, and Namangan regions. Participants will attend a three-day offline intensive in Fergana, followed by six months of online learning, a three-month internship at IT companies, meetings with international experts, and mentoring support. Four tracks are available: Data Science, business and systems analysis, QA, and software development. Upon completion, participants will receive certificates from School 21, UNICEF, and Women in Tech.

Application deadline: September 15

WIT TEENS CHALLENGE 2026
A Startup Battle and Hackathon for teenagers who want to create, present, and develop ideas in the fields of technology, entrepreneurship, and STEM. Participants will have the chance to win prizes, receive special nominations, network, and present their projects to experts. Teams can consist of one to five members, with the mandatory requirement that the team captain must be a girl.

Application deadline: September 20

When: October 4
Where: Almaty

UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships Programme
UNESCO and the Government of Japan offer 10 research fellowships for young scientists from participating countries. Fellows will spend three to nine months at Japanese universities and research centers. Funding amounts up to $10,000. In 2026, the program covers research in cultural heritage preservation, sustainable development, and artificial intelligence, including ethical and human-centric AI, smart cities and infrastructure, climate solutions, and education.

Application deadline: September 30

Marketing Mix Course
Participants of Technovation Kazakhstan will have the opportunity to take the Marketing Mix course provided by Abila Yussupov. The course will help participants better understand marketing, identify and comprehend their target audience, and enhance the promotion of their projects.