To host the fourth cohort of our flagship AWIEF Growth Accelerator, sponsored by Nedbank, it is designed to support the unique needs of early-stage and high growth-oriented women-led ventures with business modelling, growth strategy training, corporate advisory, mentorship,
Dr.Irene Ochem, AWIEF founder and CEO Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Growth Accelerator has emphasized the place of funding in enterprise development saying access to finance is the most cited challenge to the growth of women-owned businesses in Africa.
According to her, bankability and investment readiness are major impediments to attracting business finance, dynamic and innovative female entrepreneurs for the AWIEF Growth Accelerator 2021 cohort.
She maintained that “We are hosting the fourth cohort of our flagship AWIEF Growth Accelerator, sponsored by Nedbank.”Access to finance is the most cited challenge to the growth of women-owned businesses in Africa. Bankability and investment readiness are major impediments to attracting business finance.
The AWIEF Growth Accelerator is designed to support the unique needs of early-stage and high growth-oriented women-led ventures with business modelling, growth strategy training, corporate advisory, mentorship, networks, and access to strategic partnerships.
She added that the accelerator provides capital-raising support for growth, scale and sustainability. It builds women’s entrepreneurial leadership capacity, connects them with appropriate sources of capital and helps them scale.
“As a bank committed to skills development and growing the economy, particularly women-owned businesses, we are once again proud to partner with AWIEF on this initiative which has thus far produced inspiring stories of enterprise and commitment,” says Nirmala Reddy, Nedbank senior manager for enterprise development.
“Since 2017, more than 100 early-growth-stage women founders have gone through the accelerator programme. For the 2021 cohort, 20 female entrepreneurs will be selected from sectors including: technology, agribusiness, financial services, manufacturing, health, education, tourism & hospitality, creative industries, and renewable energy.”
She emphasized the need to join the programme,, after six months of hard work and being challenged, as part of the AWIEF Growth Accelerator cohort, you will be ready to tell your story and showcase your business to the world. The programme offers three two-day bootcamps Master classes: international expert-led sessions covering all scaling fundamentals ,
There are one-on-one tailored mentorship and leadership coaching. Corporate partners: connection to corporates in your industry for valuable partnership opportunities, and as customers.
In addition, there is access to investors: get connected to opportunities with Nedbank and active VCs, impact and angel investors looking to invest in African women-led ventures.
The Demo day/pitching event at the 7th annual AWIEF Conference and Awards (AWIEF2021) scheduled to take place on 2nd and 3rd December 2021.
Dr. Ochem, AWIEF founder urged join people to be part the AWIEF Community and alumni growth programme: unmatched access to a pan-African and global network and peer connection to other women entrepreneurs, continued online post-programme support, e-learning, events, and tailored introductions.
Among the criteria for Eligibility, prospective Businesses must be: South African Exempt Micro Enterprises (EMEs) or Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSEs), at least 51% female black-owned. They must be in a post-revenue phase. The y must also be scalable and innovative ventures in operation for not less than three years owned or led by ambitious and committed women entrepreneurs seeking investment or funding to scale.
A participant of AWIEF Growth Accelerator says: “The AWIEF Growth Accelerator was an incredibly inspiring, safe and supportive environment, and was particularly useful during our sudden, rapid growth phase.”
“My business is growing and it’s thanks to AWIEF. Thank you for the tools, drive, and confidence to accelerate my company to new heights.” said one of the beneficiaries
