Ten aspiring or current Information Communications Technology (ICT) South African young women entrepreneurs have until 4 November 2007 to submit applications for a sponsored professional development program in Maryland, USA.
The program is a result of collaboration between The Innovation Hub's Maxum Business Incubator, the Meridian International Centre and University of Maryland Baltimore County's Centre for Women in Information Technology (CWIT) in partnership with Maryland Women in Technology (MDWIT). The program runs from 29 March to 19 April 2008 and is intended to build competence and confidence for starting or growing successful businesses, in association with South African business incubators.
A series of workshops, roundtable meetings, panel discussions, networking events, site visits to business incubators, and two days of ‘shadowing' successful US women entrepreneurs, form part of the program format. The networking events will provide exposure to US public and private-sector organisations that promote women in business, and exposure to successful women entrepreneurs and women's business associations. Program participants will also visit historical and cultural sites in the Washington, DC-Baltimore area.
Developing a business plan and a marketing strategy, obtaining venture capital, managing business finances, human resources and operations, developing a marketing strategy, enhancing competitiveness through effective use of technology, form part of the training. Personal skills will be enhanced through training on how to deal with clients, business leadership, and a personal model for a work-life balance. The program includes mentoring and support by Maxum and other local business incubators that the participants will associate with on their return to South Africa. All in all, the development program is a two-year process.
Qualifying candidates must submit their applications to by 4 November 2007. Applicants must be South African citizens under the age of 45, and must be in possession of a valid passport. Qualifying criteria includes evidence of entrepreneurial qualities, the demonstration of current computer and business skills, and fluency in English. Preference will be given to previous disenfranchised applicants. Costs associated with the March-April 2008 program will be funded by sponsorship.
There are two categories of applications – Entrepreneurs and Aspiring Entrepreneurs. Category 1 – Entrepreneurs – focuses on women who own an ICT-enabled business or a business dependant on ICT systems), that has been operating less than five years, and Category 2 – Aspiring Entrepreneurs – caters for those who are committed to starting an ICT-enabled business. The 10-page application that needs to be submitted under the heading of Category 1 or Category 2, can be found on The Innovation Hub's website homepage http://www.theinnovationhub.com under News Professional Development Program for SA Women ICT Entrepreneurs.
For further information, contact Busi Ngwenya on (012) 844 0033, fax (012) 844 0034 or email .
