The Bicester Collection Unlock Her Future Prize 2023

The Bicester Collection has announced the finalists of the first edition of Unlock Her Future™ Prize. Eight women social impact entrepreneurs from the Middle East and North Africa will compete to become one of three winners.

The Bicester Collection has announced the finalists of the Unlock Her Future™ Prize 2023. The finalists represent Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and were selected among 850 applicants from nineteen countries across the Middle East and North Africa.

Open to women of any age with an inspiring not-for-profit business idea or a business where their for-profit goals generate a positive return to society; the Prize identifies system-changing ventures that will drive sustainable positive social, cultural and environmental impact within the MENA region for generations to come, as defined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The finalists of the Unlock Her Future™ Prize 2023 are:

Fella Bouti, Ecodalle – providing ecological construction and homogeneous, economical and integrated irrigation solutions to improve large cities' air quality and urban temperature.

Yasmin Jamal Mohamed, Dammg – a digital platform offering educational opportunities for children with learning difficulties and disabilities such as autism and Down’s syndrome, connecting parents with specialised teachers, educational therapists and training programmes.

Sara Ali Llalla, Ecocentric – an online marketplace and circular economy system designed to mitigate microplastic food contamination and eliminate plastic waste.

Noor Jaber, Nawat – enhancing women’s sexual and reproductive health (SRHR) through a safe and accessible digital space; providing SRSH knowledge in Arabic via educational content and consultations with qualified experts, offering confidentiality, privacy and convenience.

Reem Hamed, Gifted – an e-commerce platform offering curated gift boxes featuring products supplied by small businesses, increasing visibility and motivating sales to generate a circular economy and supportive community of women entrepreneurs supporting emerging women entrepreneurs.

Safaa Ayyad, Foras – a digital platform accelerating youth participation in the labour market by connecting young, ambitious individuals looking to jumpstart their careers through access to training, internships, voluntary work, jobs, workshops, grants, funds and scholarship opportunities.

Muna Alamer, Lesser – aims to motivate a recycling culture by introducing an infrastructure based on community participation and rewards, thereby reducing waste going to landfills aligned with Vision 2030

Nuhayr Zein, Leukeather – a vegetal, sustainable and ethical material alternative to exotic leathers, made from dried plant pods and a by-product of existing agriculture which minimises its carbon footprint and provides an additional source of income for farming communities

The finalists will be invited to London to compete to become one of three winners. Each will receive a business grant of up to $100,000, bespoke mentorship from international experts, and an education programme from presenting partner New York University Abu Dhabi.

Prominent women judges and notable figures from the MENA region who'll decide upon the three winners include Desirée Bollier, Chair and Global Chief Merchant of Value Retail, the creator and operator of The Bicester Collection, Dr Iman Bibars, Vice President of Ashoka, Regional Director of Ashoka Arab World and Founder of Women's Initiative for Social Entrepreneurship (WISE) and the Hon. Dr Badira Ibrahim Al Shihhi, Vice Chair of the State Council of Sultanate of Oman, amongst others. The finalists and judges will be hosted in London with the generous support of Almosafer (part of Seera Group), Saudi Arabia's leading travel company.

The winners will be announced on International Women’s Day, 8 March, during a prize-giving ceremony in London hosted by author and women’s activist Lina AbiRafeh.