Academy for women entrepreneurs

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

The US Embassy Abu Dhabi is bringing the US Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme to the UAE through a partnership with startAD, the Abu Dhabi-based global accelerator anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), powered by its partner Tamkeen, and Zayed University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship centre. AWE encourages women to harness their economic potential by building and scaling businesses in over 50 nations, with the aim to reach 50 million women by 2025. Applications are open for female entrepreneurs aged 28 - 55 in the UAE until Oct.3, 2020.

 In recognition of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy, AWE UAE aims to work with women entrepreneurs to develop their business resilience with a view to survive, thrive, and then grow, in the next normal and beyond.

The programme is designed to be fully virtual and fit the demanding schedules of business owners. Taking place in two phases, with 21 virtual sessions over a period of six months, participants will be trained to recreate value for their companies, build innovation capabilities, create customized business continuity plans to update ventures for the new market conditions, and reset paths to profitability. In addition, entrepreneurs will receive support from talented interns and benefit from mentorship and business connections to fuel their economic potential. The programme will conclude on International Women’s Day 2021, where participants will showcase businesses to potential partners and investors.   Cultural Affairs Officer at US Embassy Abu Dhabi Lauren Willy, commented: “The US and the UAE are united in our enthusiastic support for entrepreneurs, as we have in common richly diverse populations that drive cutting edge innovation and creativity.”