Accelerate-Her
The Centre’s AccelerateHer is a business entrepreneurship programme offering an exciting opportunity for Guyanese women to access business acceleration workshops and professional mentoring to grow their businesses.
Targeting local women owners, operators, and managers, it builds the leadership and business skills of women entrepreneurs in Guyana to help them grow companies across a wide variety of industries and sectors. The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG) partners with this edition of the AccelerateHer programme.
Testimonials
Thanks to the Centre’s mentorship programme, I’ve taken my business, and myself personally as an entrepreneur, to new heights. The mentorship, resources, and tailored support helped to streamline operations and improve our product quality. It’s been a game-changer, especially for an Indigenous woman from Region 1. Proud to be part of a network that accelerates entrepreneurs through the Centre.
Naressa Abrams
Manager
Abrams Authentic Products
The AccelerateHer Programme has helped to shape the way we approach our clients and business growth. The insights and strategy approach gave me even more confidence to scale my insurance brokerage and develop new partnerships. I feel more equipped and inspired to lead with purpose and innovation and encouragement.
Romona Singh
Manager
RNS Insurance Broker
Participating in AccelerateHer 2022 has been invaluable to my QHSE Consultancy. The programme helped me to gain the business acumen and pitch development skills that I needed to stragetically gorw my business and expand our services. The practical advice has directly impacted our growth in providing QSHE solutions for growing economy. Apply!
Jenel Williams-Pinder
Manager
BrinsJen Systems Development Specialists
I am a well-seasoned entrepreneur in Guyana, but I have always prioritised continuous learning and that made me apply for this programme. The courses were practical and applicable to my company and me as an entrepreneur. However, the community aspect that this programme helped to create, due to its structure, was the biggest highlight for me. It’s been an amazing experience and I would encourage others to sign up.
Michelle Howard
Owner
Guyana Electric
The programme
AccelerateHer is designed to enable the growth of small businesses through tailored workshops, access to one-on-one business advisory services, mentoring, pitch development, and fostering a strong and supportive peer-learning environment for women. Predicated on successful mentorship and peer-learning models, AccelerateHer matches a pool of professional mentors with participants based on their business background and focus.
AccelerateHer seeks motivated women entrepreneurs who recognise the value of an interactive and collaborative approach to grow their business acumen and entrepreneurial skills.
Women entrepreneurs looking to expand their company, access new markets or increase efficiencies and innovation should consider applying to the programme.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
Applications are closed.
The fourth cycle of AccelerateHer will run from April-July 2025. Notification of selection for bootcamp will be on or before April 8, 2025.
Phase One
April 11-12
- Weekend bootcamp (2-Day Event)
- 30 participants
- Group sessions and take-home activities
- Business model canvas
- Value proposition development
Phase Two
May-July
- Select participants (from the bootcamp)
- 10-week programme
- 8-10 hours per week
- 1:1 mentorship, tailored coaching and workshops
- Weekly peer learning (Thurs 9am-12pm)
- SWOT analysis of business
Graduation
July – Demo Day
- Graduation
- Certificates Awarded
- Interact with the business community, potential buyers, and partners
AccelerateHer Partners
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG) partners with AccelerateHer 2025 Programme. WCCIG is a nonprofit charitable organisation dedicated to creating a collective voice for women and assisting women to achieve success and economic independence through business ownership and self-employment. They serve as mentors and guest speakers for the programme.
Who is AccelerateHer looking for
YOU
- Embody coachability and commitment
- Either a founder or a member of the management team of an existing small business
- Guyanese citizen living in and based in Guyana
YOUR BUSINESS
- Is more than a year old, and is looking to grow, access new markets or add innovative best practices
- Is legally registered in Guyana
- Is women-led and with women in key leadership positions
There are no fees associated with applying or participating in AccelerateHer. This programme is funded and made possible by the Greater Guyana Initiative.
Note: Proficiency with video conferencing platforms (i.e. Zoom, Teams, Webex) and virtual collaboration tools (i.e. Google docs, Dropbox) is recommended.