‘She Entrepreneurs’ programme gives boost to MENA’s female-led startups

AMMAN — Female entrepreneurs in Jordan and other countries in the Middle East and North Africa will have the opportunity to apply for the Swedish Institute’s “She Entrepreneurs” leadership training programme in early 2023, according to Maria Henoch, programme manager at the Swedish Institute.

The call for applications for the programme will open in January, Henoch told a delegation of media representatives recently, adding that the programme is set to run over a six month period. It is delivered online with regular workshops and mentor support.

The training programme is based on real business experiences, collaborative learning and participant-centric design, and provides tangible tools, insights and connections for participants who want to grow their businesses and develop as leaders and entrepreneurs.

Female entrepreneurs between the age of 22 and 45 based in Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia or Turkey, are eligible to apply. Applicants must have currently operational businesses that are ready to expand and have the potential to develop a financially sustainable business model, generate a positive social impact and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, according to the programme’s website.

Since the inception of the programme almost 11 years ago, around 260 startups have benefited from the training, around 30-40 of which were startups from Jordan, Henoch said.

According to Henoch, the programme receives around 300 applications each year.

Ruth Brännvall, CEO of Impact Invest, said that the programme helps female entrepreneurs learn how to become leaders, solve societal challenges and make a positive impact on society.

She added that around 1 per cent of venture capital investments and funds go to female entrepreneurs globally, which is a low figure that indicates that female entrepreneurs’ startups are underfinanced.