The U.S. Embassy Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) launched the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs(AWE), an initiative supporting women entrepreneurs around the world. 

The Academy, in support of the White House-led Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative(W-GDP), will equip women with the practical skills needed to create sustainable businesses and enterprises. AWE is committed to providing women with the knowledge, tools, and networks that they need to turn their ideas into a successful business. Through facilitated online learning, women in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, as well as Papua New Guinea and Spain will further their business skills, network with mentors, and see their ideas into reality. AWE seeks to promote collective economic prosperity and global stability by creating a holistic, inclusive learning community to advance the development of women with brilliant ideas into successful entrepreneurs.

Who we are targeting for AWE Cohort 5

Description of target Women Entrepreneurs

• Based in Kampala, Arua, Lira and surrounding districts
• Are aged 25 – 40 years
• Have 1 – 5 years of business experience
• Own or manage a business that is for profit and legally registered either with Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and/or local authorities.
• Have the potential to expand and grow your business with our support
• Are fluent in English
• Are computer literate and have reliable access to an internet-connected computer or smartphone

Description of target businesses

Businesses operating across all sectors including: Agribusiness, Technology, Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing, Creative sector and others

What you should be interested in

• Business training to acquire new business knowledge and skills
• Access to capital
• Growing your network
• Growing your business
• A certificate of accomplishment

What you gain from the program

Business training

• Acquiring new business knowledge and skills from the facilitated Dreambuilder program
• Learning from your peers(other entrepreneurs) and a curated list of speakers and SHONA Experts
• Understanding the fundamentals of developing and scaling a business.
• Exposure to US models for business development

Capital

• Access to funding from the United States African Development Foundation(USADF) – details to be confirmed
• Access to funding from the SHONA Loan Facility, investing 12-month uncollateralized loans of between Ugx. 3.5 million – Ugx. 35 million

Networks

• Joining the US Embassy Network including: alumni of US government exchange programs, other AWE alumni, local American business experts, business experts from the Ugandan branches of American companies and others. 
• Access to markets
• Access to additional Business Development Support services, including SHONA’s programs

This program is currently ongoing.

In case of any inquiries, please contact David Nahabwe – dnahabwe@shona.co

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