The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) is excited to launch its Growth Accelerator program in Nigeria, in collaboration with the renowned global brand Victoria’s Secret & Co.
AWIEF is rolling out this program as part of The Tour Impact Fund, an initiative by Victoria’s Secret dedicated to promoting gender equality, empowering women worldwide, and amplifying their voices.
Being one of the four organizations worldwide partnering with Victoria’s Secret on The Tour Impact Fund, AWIEF is proud to work with the leading retailer to expand its flagship AWIEF Growth Accelerator to SMEs owned or led by women in Nigeria.
This partnership is driven by the shared vision of AWIEF and Victoria’s Secret for a more inclusive world and their commitment to enhancing opportunities and success for women entrepreneurs by providing them with the resources and tools needed to grow and scale their businesses sustainably.
Both Victoria’s Secret and AWIEF recognize the potential of women entrepreneurs to bring about positive changes in society.
Launched in 2017, AWIEF Growth Accelerator is a premier program aimed at supporting women-owned or women-led ventures focused on high growth by offering training in business development, growth strategies, corporate advisory, mentorship, support tailored to individual needs, networking opportunities, and access to finance.
Call for Applications
In 2024, AWIEF, in partnership with Victoria’s Secret, will select twenty (20) women founders and/or leaders of innovative, growing businesses in Nigeria to participate in a seven-month investment readiness program.
The AWIEF Growth Accelerator in Nigeria is open to businesses in various sectors, with priority given to technology-based and tech-enabled ventures in key sectors like agriculture, health, education, creative industries, financial services, renewable energy, logistics, and climate-smart solutions.
Eligibility Criteria
For businesses to qualify, they must meet the following criteria:
– Ownership: Women-owned (>51%)
OR
– Leadership: Women-led at the C-Suite level or equivalent
OR
– Product or service primarily benefiting women
In addition, businesses must:
- Be based and operational in Nigeria
- Be highly innovative and scalable
- Be post-revenue
- Have been in operation for at least three years
- Be led by ambitious and committed women entrepreneurs
- Be seeking investment or funding for expansion
The deadline for applications is March 24, 2024, at 11:59pm West Africa Time (WAT).
Applications can be submitted through the following link: https://awieforum.typeform.com/awiefVS24