Standard Chartered
Women in Tech
Accelerator Programme
Get Expert Training, Coaching &
Secure Seed Funding for your Business!
Deadline for application is 14th September 2024
Standard Chartered Women in Tech Accelerator Programme
Standard Chartered, a leading international banking group, with a presence in 59 of the world’s most dynamic markets is proud to announce the launch of its Women in Tech (WiT) Accelerator Programme in Botswana.
Women in Tech is part of the Bank’s commitment to addressing gender disparity in the technology sector and using technology to tackle social challenges faced by communities. WIT is also an important part of the Bank’s entrepreneurship pillar within Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, a global initiative to tackle inequality and promote economic inclusion.
Standard Chartered is proud to partner with Dream Factory Foundation on this initiative to provide a platform for women entrepreneurs in Botswana who are pushing innovative boundaries by developing innovative or tech-enabled solutions or demonstrate intention to become more tech-enabled; and desire to accelerate their solutions to the next level of growth.
By strengthening female owned enterprises, our goal is to close the financial access gap for the scale of innovative or tech enabled women-led small and growing businesses that have the potential to better the livelihoods of low-income and rural communities.
The WiT aims to cultivate a supportive ecosystem of female entrepreneurs who are resourceful, impactful and advance female entrepreneurship in various sectors.
Programme Benefits:
- The 20 selected participants will undergo a 5-month incubator programme designed to accelerate their business growth through skills-based workshops which include financial readiness and management, compliance, business models, marketing and communication.
- Focused one on one coaching sessions to improve personal growth, leadership and financial skills, empowering participants to lead their ventures successfully.
- Participants will have the chance to network with potential investors and partners, providing valuable opportunities to secure funding and scale their businesses.
- An exciting pitch competition where the top winners will share up to US$ 50,000 equity-free seed funding.
- Participants will receive 12-month access for free to the Meeticks digital marketplace, where they will be able to create online stores increasing their access to market, and be trained on the use of digital technology for growing their businesses.
- An opportunity to join the WiT alumni global network.
Who are we looking for?
We are seeking to select women entrepreneurs with a growth and impact mindset; a demonstrated interest to innovate and use technology as a tool for scale and sustainability; with a track record that shows a commitment to their businesses and a vision that advances female entrepreneurship in Botswana.
Eligibility criteria:
- Women entrepreneurs aged between 18 & 40 years old
- Business must be a registered entity (co-operatives are also encouraged to apply) in Botswana
- Be based in and operating in Botswana between a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 10 years
- At least 50% Botswana-owned
- At least 50% women-led and/or women-owned
- Business has an annual revenue of P1 million or less than P1 million
- Have 10 or less full-time paid employees
- Business solution must be innovation driven or tech-enabled or the entrepreneur should demonstrate the interest and intention to become more tech enabled
- Applicants must be available to undertake the 5 month virtual and in-person incubation programme from September to January 2025
- Female entrepreneurs with a disability are encouraged to apply
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