$50,000 YHER Accelerator Program for African Female-led Businesses 2019

More women are pursuing entrepreneurship in Africa per capita than anywhere else in the world. For this reason, Spark is conducting a continent-wide search to bring together an unrivalled group of 15 African Female Founders for its YHER Accelerator. 

Application Deadline: 30th May 2019

Eligible Countries: African countries

To Be Taken At (Country): Johannesburg, South Africa

About the Award: The YHER Accelerator Program is a program run by founders running high-impact ventures aimed at improving the lives and women and girls.

Type: Entrepreneurship

Eligibility: 

• Female-Led Ventures: You must have at least one female co-founder who will participate in the program.
• Local: You intimately understand the problem that you are trying to solve.
• Support Women and Girls: Your venture must exist to improve the lives of women and girls who are held back by poverty.
• In the Early Stages: You will have already launched a venture or at least run a pilot and have some early traction or proof of concept. You will typically have less than 100 customers and have been in operation less than two years.

Number of Awards: 15

Value of Award: 

• ACCELERATOR – A week-long intensive entrepreneurship program designed to fast track your early stage venture. We’ll provide training and mentorship while also connecting you to an inspiring group of fellow female entrepreneurs working hard to create a better world for women and girls.
• MENTORSHIP – Connection to a network of mentors from across the world throughout the Accelerator week, providing you with a wealth of entrepreneurship experience to help you build a bulletproof strategy for impact and growth.
• HIGH-TEA – An opportunity for you to network with investors, funders, mentors and supporters and to pitch your venture as the week comes to a close at an exclusive, invite-only high-tea event.
• FUNDING – A total of $50,000 in prize funding is available for the winners of our peer review and audience votes.
• GROWTH SUPPORT – Potential to qualify for Growth support, including ongoing tailored support and grant or investment funding of $10,000 to $50,000 AUD to help scale your venture.
• COMMUNITY – Ongoing connection with our virtual community to help you along your entrepreneurial journey. Keep each other inspired and accountable with monthly check-ins, mastermind sessions and knowledge sharing.

Duration of Program: Saturday, 11 November – Friday, 17 November 2017

How to Apply: APPLY

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: Spark