AfriLabs/Visa RevUp Women Initiative for early-stage women-led businesses in Africa is now open

The RevUp Women Initiative is an African enterprise development program for early-stage women-led enterprises. It is intended to help these enterprises grow into lucrative and sustainable ventures that can encourage job development on the continent. Through enterprise development training, mentorship, peer-to-peer learning, and access to capital, the initiative strives to promote gender equality and inclusive economic growth. The Visa Foundation is funding this cohort.

AfriLabs is inviting women-led enterprises from around Africa to apply for this RevUp Women Initiative cohort of the initiative. In this cohort, 500 entrepreneurs will go through a rigorous training and mentoring session, and ten (10), one (1) will be chosen in each pilot city to be financed by the program. Following the criteria and concept of the Catalytic Africa fund, each of the selected enterprises will receive a $10,000 matching grant.

Criteria for Eligibility for the RevUp Women Initiative

Applications are being accepted from early-stage female-led businesses throughout Africa. Before applying, these companies must meet the following requirements:

A woman owns at least 51% of the company.
Let a woman lead you.
Be located in any of these African cities
Nigeria: Lagos and Abuja; South Africa: Johannesburg and Cape Town; Cameroon: Douala and Yaounde; Kenya: Nairobi and Kisumu; Democratic Republic of the Congo: Kinshasa and Lubumbashi.
Have a current service or product?
Have proof of existing service or product sales.
Have an established business concept
Be registered and incorporated in the country of operation for at least six months
Be able to commit to an intensive hybrid training and mentorship session lasting 8 weeks.
It should be noted that evidence of sales would be required during the due diligence phase.

Benefits of the RevUp Women Initiative

Access to excellent female mentors Throughout Africa
Following the Catalytic Africa rules, ten company entrepreneurs will be chosen to receive $10,000 in funding.
Participants will have access to new financing options as well as a network of funders from around Africa.
Gaining access to the AfriLabs network. For More Information: Visit the Official Webpage of the AfriLabs/Visa RevUp Women Initiative 2023. Deadline: 14th July 2023