AWIEF Nedbank Growth Accelerator: Call for Applications
Business linkages and investment readiness
The Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) is hosting its flagship Growth Accelerator Programme for 2018, sponsored by Nedbank. AWIEF is seeking 25 ambitious, innovative and committed early-growth-stage South African women entrepreneurs, from a variety of sectors, looking for support to scale their businesses.
Access to finance is the most cited challenge to the growth of women-owned businesses in Africa. Bankability and investment readiness are major impediments to attracting business finance.
This is an intensive six-week programme designed to support participants with the business modelling and growth strategy required to scale their enterprises, become investment ready and develop entrepreneurial leadership. The programme will cover:
- purpose and values;
- target market, competitive landscape and value proposition;
- delivery model;
- financial modelling;
- conduct a creative force;
- growth strategy;
- financing for scale; and
- pitch training.
The 2018 AWIEF Growth Accelerator, with its first 25 participants, is implemented as a build-up programme that will culminate at the 2018 AWIEF Conference, Exhibition and Awards event taking place on 8 and 9 November at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, where participating entrepreneurs will pitch their business to an audience of investors, business leaders and corporate decision-makers.
The three best ventures stand to win monetary prizes from AWIEF and financial management advice from Nedbank.
Eligibility
- in a post-revenue phase;
- scalable and innovative ventures;
- in operation for not less than two years (ideally three to five years);
- owned or led by ambitious and committed women entrepreneurs; and
- seeking investment or funding to grow
The programme details are as follows:
- Dates: Starts on 17 September and culminates on 8 and 9 November 2018
- Location: Cape Town and Johannesburg
- Participation fee: Free
The event is hosted by AWIEF and sponsored by Nedbank
ABOUT AWIEF
The Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) is Africa’s premier women’s economic empowerment organisation and network dedicated to promoting and supporting female innovation, technology and entrepreneurship through a portfolio of impact programmes. AWIEF’s mission is to foster the economic inclusion, advancement and empowerment of women through entrepreneurship support and development. For more information, visit https://www.awieforum.org/
ABOUT NEDBANK
As a bank for small business Nedbank is committed to growing and supporting small and medium enterprises throughout the country using a number of initiatives contributing to the economy and creating jobs in local municipalities. With a philosophy premised on Whole-view Business Banking™, we use our financial expertise to create a vibrant ecosystem and to provide a rich set of development and support services that will enable businesses to grow.
Nedbank Group is one of South Africa’s largest banking groups by assets and deposits, with Nedbank Limited being our principal banking subsidiary. The bank, which is also continuing to expand into Africa with a presence in 39 countries on the continent through our Ecobank alliance, provides a wide range of wholesale and retail banking services and a growing insurance, asset management and wealth management offering through four main business operations, namely Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking, Nedbank Business Banking, Nedbank Retail and Nedbank Wealth. Transformation is at the heart of our mission as a bank premised on using our financial expertise to do good. For more information visit www.nedbank.co.za
