Talented young business women stand to win Rwf11m in continental contest

Many startups by young Rwandan women find it hard to access funding from established financial institutions. This has greatly affected the growth of many small firms started by women, especially young graduates. However, talented young Rwandan women with innovative startups stand a chance to win $15,000 (Rwf10.9 million) in cash prizes in the ongoing second She Leads Africa annual Entrepreneur Showcase for the most talented female entrepreneurs across Africa and the Diaspora. She Leads Africa is a Nigerian-based organisation that seeks to promote and empower talented African young women to grow their enterprises. The contest event is the premier platform for young female entrepreneurs looking to grow and expand their businesses across Africa. Anita Kivuye Kwizera, an official of the Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs at The Private Sector Federation, called on Rwandan women entrepreneurs with innovative startups to participate in the competition, arguing that it presents them great opportunities for growth. “We encourage qualifying young women to participate as this could help take their enterprises to the next level,” Kwizera said. According to She Leads Africa co-founder Yasmin Belo-Osagie, the Entrepreneur Showcase programme shines a spotlight on women who are driving Africa’s growth through leadership, commerce and innovation. “Entrepreneur Showcase gives exceptional women entrepreneurs a platform to connect with investors and the media, as well as provides them with training and mentoring to help them grow their ventures,” Belo-Osagie said at the launch of the competition last week. Applications for the 2015 competition opened on May 1 and will close on June 30. Only businesses (from any industry) with at least one woman on the founding team aged between 18-35 years old are eligible to apply. The enterprise product or service must also have been in operation for less than three years and received not more than $50,000 in funding. Applications and more details can be found at www.sheleadsafrica.org. business@newtimes.co.rw

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Talented young business women stand to win Rwf11m in continental contest