• The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Startup Challenge is the first program of its kind to be implemented in Mauritius
• 24 women entrepreneurs from Mauritius and Rodrigues, including two participants of the Global Rainbow Foundation and two participants from Rodrigues, have successfully completed AWE’s DreamBuilder program
The U.S. Embassy in Mauritius and the Association Mauricienne des Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises (AMFCE) have proudly presented the very first cohort of graduates of Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Startup Challenge. The Graduation Ceremony was held at the Caudan Arts Centre in the presence of Andy Kelly, Ag. Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius and Seychelles, Rima Ramsaran, AMFCE President and Dr Armoogum Parsuramen, GOSK, as Chief Guest.
AWE was established in the United States in 2019 by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and it was launched in Mauritius in July 2021 in partnership with AMFCE, the island’s leading women entrepreneurs’ organization. AWE provides women entrepreneurs with the skills, tools, resources, and networks that they need to start and grow a successful business, raise capital, and effectively network with other successful business owners. Through AWE, women entrepreneurs participate in a localized entrepreneurship program supplemented with networking and mentorship opportunities.
AWE is based on the online training program, DreamBuilder, developed through a partnership between Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and global copper mining company Freeport-McMoRan. AWE has been implemented in 75 countries, including 18 in Africa.
25 women entrepreneurs from Mauritius and Rodrigues enrolled in the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Startup Challenge 2021. Amongst them, two members of the Global Rainbow Foundation – a local NGO that specializes in the empowerment of persons with disabilities – followed the program for a year. Two aspiring women entrepreneurs from Rodrigues also participated in the program. All four are graduating. AWE Startup Challenge 2021’s success rate is impressive with 24 participants having successfully completed the program.
In his remarks, Andrew Kelly, Ag. Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius and Seychelles stated : “Today, Mauritian graduates will be joining an alumni network of more than 16, 000 women entrepreneurs from over 80 countries. AWE has helped you grow your business, networks and adapt to new economic realities under COVID-19. We recognize that entrepreneurship can be challenging, especially for women. Now, more than ever, we need to empower women to accelerate recovery from this crisis by ensuring that they are provided with access to opportunities to better their lives, their families and their communities.”
Rima Ramsaran, AMFCE President, expressed her satisfaction after the completion of the program. She reminds that AWE Startup Challenge is not only about preparing a Business Plan but also guides on the creation of the business activity: “Today, women are increasingly making the jump from working for others to setting up their own small businesses. At the AMFCE, we firmly believe in building the next generation of women entrepreneurs, leading solid and sustainable business activities. Starting a business is a great challenge, particularly, when you are a woman. The AWE program is an amazing kickstarter for our startuppers. This program has equipped women entrepreneurs with unique resources and capabilities to innovate and grow their businesses. They also benefitted from our dedicated professional mentors. We are looking forward to see the progress of their entrepreneurial projects. Remember that when more women become entrepreneurs, this strengthens innovation, productivity and creativity. And most importantly, women entrepreneurship helps our economy to grow. We are eager to run the program for the next cohorts around the Indian Ocean.”
Dr Armoogum Parsuramen, GOSK, as Chief Guest, stated: “Let me first and foremost congratulate all the participants, the AMFCE and the United States Embassy for this laudable project of empowering Women and guiding them through to become entrepreneurs specially in these trying and uncertain times. The path adopted by AMFCE is not that different to what we at the Global Rainbow Foundation (GRF) have also adopted, as the aim of the organization is to serve the most vulnerable groups especially persons with different types of disabilities. The activities of the organization are oriented towards educating, enabling, and empowering Persons with Disabilities while advocating for their rights.”
A few hours before the graduation ceremony, the graduates had the opportunity to reconnect with their mentors or handholders. Ingrid Michel spent two months observing her mentor Adilla Diouman-Mosafeer in her everyday business environment. The startupper said: “I am happy to have completed the AWE program. It was an amazing experience and I have learnt so much.” Adilla Mosafeer recalls: “Ingrid has had the opportunity to learn about Client experience firsthand.”
Azita Hussain, mentor of Kathy Genevieve, is proud of her: “She has come a very long way. Initially she had lots of fears and doubts about her business project. Now, after the program, Cathy is more structured, she has structured her business. I believe she is ready to be an entrepreneur.” Kathy Genevieve could not agree more: “My major growth point in the program was to be able to take that leap of faith, to trust myself and take my project to the next step. I will continue to grow my business and help other women on their journey.” Rita Heeralall, renowned and well-established hair and beauty salon owner in Mauritius, acted as mentor for Muskaan Shah, aspiring entrepreneur in the beauty business. “Muskaan had a dream, a very big one. My journey with her has been long and fruitful. Together, we managed to bring her aspirations down to a more realistic and achievable level.”
According to a 2021 survey of 1,000 AWE graduates:
- 74% of AWE entrepreneurs reported earning more revenue in their business, ;
- 44% reported expanding their product or service offerings, and
- 29% said they hired more staff after completing the program.
The recruitment campaign for the next Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Startup Challenge will start in August 2022, with the 30 seats available for participants from Mauritius, Rodrigues and Seychelles.
