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The Global Entrepreneurship Network announced today that it is now accepting applications for the Women’s Venture Xchange Africa initiative (Xchange). Launched this summer at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi, the Xchange is a mentorship and exchange program for high-potential African women entrepreneurs.
“There is great untapped entrepreneurial potential throughout Africa, especially among female founders who lack access to the same resources their male counterparts enjoy,” said Jonathan Ortmans, president of the Global Entrepreneurship Network. “This program will help unleash that potential by providing female founders with knowledge and networks within one of Africa’s flourishing startup communities.”
The initial East Africa pilot program gives four entrepreneurs the opportunity to spend between two and four weeks in Nairobi, Kenya. Starting during Global Entrepreneurship Week (Nov. 16-22), the Xchange is designed to help women-owned businesses develop a support system that will give them local knowledge and connections that will greatly increase their chances of developing new business partnerships. If successful, the East African pilot initiative will scale across the continent.
The program is being run by the Global Entrepreneurship Network in partnership with the Case Foundation, the Mara Foundation and the U.S. Department of State.
The four selected East Africa-based entrepreneurs will be matched with mentors active in their industry in Nairobi through the Mara Foundation’s Mara Mentors program.
The Xchange is geared towards entrepreneurs with established businesses ready for cross-border expansion in East Africa. Applications will be judged based on the company’s likelihood of successful regional expansion, the stage of growth of the entrepreneur’s company, the uniqueness of their concept and their ambitions for their time in Nairobi.
To apply, go to gew.co/wvxa. Applications will be accepted until Friday, October 23. Selected participants will be notified by October 30.
About the Case Foundation
Established by digital pioneers Jean and Steve Case, the Case Foundation invests in people and ideas that can change the world. For nearly two decades, we have focused on creating programs and investing in people and organizations that harness the best impulses of entrepreneurship, innovation, technology and collaboration to address urgent social challenges. Our work is focused on three key pillars: revolutionizing the philanthropic sector, unleashing the power of entrepreneurship to create social change and igniting civic engagement through citizen-driven solutions. For more information, visit www.casefoundation.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
About Global Entrepreneurship Network
The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) operates a platform of projects and programs in 170 countries aimed at making it easier for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a business. By fostering deeper cross border collaboration through initiatives engaging entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurial support organizations, GEN works to fuel healthier start and scale ecosystems that create jobs, educate individuals, accelerate innovation and strengthen economic growth. For details on the programs and initiatives that make up GEN, visit genglobal.org and follow @unleashingideas on Twitter.
