The Centre for Local Business Development (The Centre) launched a Call for Applications for the second cohort of its entrepreneurship programme: Accelerate-Her. The programme provides Guyanese women with an opportunity to receive professional development and mentoring to foster personal growth and business success.

Accelerate-Her targets local women owners, operators, and managers to build the leadership and business skills of women entrepreneurs to grow their companies across a wide variety of industries and sectors. The Centre programme accelerates local small business through tailored workshops, access to one-on-one mentoring, and creating a supportive peer-learning environment for women.

Last year over 90 women entrepreneurs from seven different regions across a multitude of sectors applied to be a part of Accelerate-Her.  From this list 35 women were shortlisted for Phase One and a further 16 were shortlisted for Phase 2. The 2022 programme will run from May to August.

Phase One features a three-day bootcamp for 35 participants with peer and mentor connections, brainstorming for growth, practicing business pitches and building business model canvases. In Phase Two, 15 select participants from the bootcamp will partake in a thirteen-week mentorship and entrepreneurship experience culminating in Demo Day – a presentation of their refined business pitches and business showcase to potential buyers and investors.

“I am delighted to open the call for applications to the second group of talented Guyanese women entrepreneurs. Accelerate-Her 2021 was a very successful programme. The 16 women who completed the programme continue to develop their businesses through the skills and connections gained last year. The Centre (team) is excited to work with the new group and to help them grow and succeed.” said Dr. Natasha Gaskin-Peters, Director of the Centre for Local Business Development. This programme is FREE for local businesses.

The Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG) is once again partnering with Accelerate-Her to act as lead mentors for the programme.

The Centre and the Accelerate-Her programme receive financial support from the Greater Guyana Initiative, funded by the Stabroek Block co-venturers ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC.

For more information and to apply please visit: https://centreguyana.com/ah/