she Leads Africa, a social enterprise aimed at ensuring that
women are part of Africa’s growth story, has launched a
business pitch competition for African women--on the
continent and in the diaspora. The organization is looking for
early stage startups that want to meet investors, gain access to new
mentors, and grow across Africa. The competition is open to all businesses that have at least one
woman on the founding team. In addition, she should be between
18-35 years old. The company should have received less than $50,000
USD in funding, should have been in operation for less than 3 years
and should have a live product on the market.
“Female entrepreneurs are unfortunately missing from the conversation
around Africa’s growth story,” Afua Osei, Founder of She Leads Africa
said in an interview via email. “But the continent will not be able to
reach its full potential without the full economic participation of
women,” she added.
The top 10 finalists will convene in Lagos, Nigeria in September to
pitch their businesses in front of a panel of experienced entrepreneurs,
venture capitalists, and financiers. The judges are Hakeem Belo-
Osagie, Chairman, Etisalat Nigeria, Ngozi Edozien, CEO InVivo Partners,
Bola Adesola, CEO Standard Chartered and Tokunboh Ishmael,
Managing Director, Aletheia Capital.
She Leads Africa will support all applicants even if they do not make
the final 10 cut to pitch their business ideas. “[We are] committed to
fully developing strong female entrepreneurs so applicants who are
not selected for the finals will be invited to stay connected to our
community through networking events, online resources and
mentorship sessions,” Osei said.
Finalists will compete for $10,000 as well as access to the knowledge,
networks, and financing to build and scale strong businesses. The
second place winner will also receive $5,000.
When asked what advice she has for young women who want to
become entrepreneurs, Osei said the most significant thing is to just
start. “Often times we get paralyzed in planning and thinking about
what we don't have, without recognising the strong talents we have in
our intelligence, perseverance, and relationships and those are the
building blocks to any successful business,” she said.
She added “while everyone will have a different path to starting their
business, everyone must believe in themselves and their ideas and
take that first step towards making it a reality.”
women are part of Africa’s growth story, has launched a
business pitch competition for African women--on the
continent and in the diaspora. The organization is looking for
early stage startups that want to meet investors, gain access to new
mentors, and grow across Africa. The competition is open to all businesses that have at least one
woman on the founding team. In addition, she should be between
18-35 years old. The company should have received less than $50,000
USD in funding, should have been in operation for less than 3 years
and should have a live product on the market.
“Female entrepreneurs are unfortunately missing from the conversation
around Africa’s growth story,” Afua Osei, Founder of She Leads Africa
said in an interview via email. “But the continent will not be able to
reach its full potential without the full economic participation of
women,” she added.
The top 10 finalists will convene in Lagos, Nigeria in September to
pitch their businesses in front of a panel of experienced entrepreneurs,
venture capitalists, and financiers. The judges are Hakeem Belo-
Osagie, Chairman, Etisalat Nigeria, Ngozi Edozien, CEO InVivo Partners,
Bola Adesola, CEO Standard Chartered and Tokunboh Ishmael,
Managing Director, Aletheia Capital.
She Leads Africa will support all applicants even if they do not make
the final 10 cut to pitch their business ideas. “[We are] committed to
fully developing strong female entrepreneurs so applicants who are
not selected for the finals will be invited to stay connected to our
community through networking events, online resources and
mentorship sessions,” Osei said.
Finalists will compete for $10,000 as well as access to the knowledge,
networks, and financing to build and scale strong businesses. The
second place winner will also receive $5,000.
When asked what advice she has for young women who want to
become entrepreneurs, Osei said the most significant thing is to just
start. “Often times we get paralyzed in planning and thinking about
what we don't have, without recognising the strong talents we have in
our intelligence, perseverance, and relationships and those are the
building blocks to any successful business,” she said.
She added “while everyone will have a different path to starting their
business, everyone must believe in themselves and their ideas and
take that first step towards making it a reality.”
No comments:
Post a Comment