Meet AWIEF’s newest Growth Accelerator graduates

Congratulations to the newest graduates of our flagship AWIEF Growth Accelerator, in partnership with Nedbank.

Since 2017, more than 140 South African women entrepreneurs have participated in the accelerator designed to support the unique needs of early-stage and high growth-oriented women-led ventures with business modelling, growth strategy training, corporate advisory, mentorship, networks, and access to strategic partnerships.

Nirmala Reddy, Senior Manager Enterprise Development, Business Banking, Nedbank, said: “I am a firm advocate of collaboration. With recent events, Business 101 has changed completely and the run-of-the-mill now is actually about collaboration and a value-chain approach to doing business. There’s enough for all. We have to work together, we have to build each other as we grow together and I think that fuels sustainability for business as we go into the future. 

“It is important to create a new business environment that is sustainable and that comes from partnerships like ours with AWIEF. At the end of the day the reason why we’re doing the programme is because we want to make a meaningful difference and to see that the most important people, the business owners, are really leveraging it and getting the opportunities that they deserve.”

According to our latest cohort, the graduates are already reaping the benefits of their new knowledge and skills:

Sibongile Booi, Second Office

The AWIEF Growth Accelerator taught me a lot about what goes into a good pitch deck. The mentors assisted me in gaining a deeper understanding of the concepts and demonstrated how to present information in a way that would be appealing to investors. I am grateful for the knowledge and expertise shared, as well as the time and effort invested by the mentors.”

 

Shameem Baksh, Yobuningi: 

“Yobuningi has had much to celebrate recently. Our hard work has not gone unnoticed. This shift came as a result of my participation in the AWIEF/Nedbank Growth Accelerator programme. My message to every entrepreneur is “You can learn new things at any age and stage in life”. This stage is mine, my time to shine. Thank you AWIEF and Nedbank!”

 

Lorato Ntsie, MAP Afrika Holding:

“The program has been an eye-opener. The coaching from world-renowned business coaches was priceless. I am eternally grateful as I take my business to new heights.”

 

Refilwe Xaba, Glolooks: 

“The Growth Accelerator Programme provided both theory and practical learning, which is extremely rare. The learning material was to the point, easy to understand and apply. The coaching completely shifted how I view my business and its potential to become a global brand.” 

 

Mabusang Malotane, Shai Boi Project Management:

“I will forever treasure what I have learned. Thank you to AWIEF and Nedbank for believing in me and my company. I’m going to soar and make you proud.”

 

 

The rest of the 2022 AWIEF Growth Accelerator graduates includes:

 

Welcome to AWIEF’s Alumni! We wish you well on your entrepreneurial journey ahead.

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