The launch of the second edition of the Future is Female Mentorship Program has been announced by C. Moore Media (CMM). The program will increase the number of early-stage African tech female-founded firms accepted from 12 to 25 by a carefully selected industry panel of CMM team judges.
Claudine Moore, the Founder of CMM and the Future is Female Mentorship Program, in a statement said, “As a Black female founder myself, I understand the problems Black and African female founders and entrepreneurs face because we are the least supported and funded, especially in the male-dominated tech field.”
The Future is Female Mentorship Program is a complementary public relations (PR) and communications program aimed solely towards African female tech founders’ business growth needs. They intended to empower and promote African female tech founders, who are typically neglected and unsupported in the male-dominated digital field.
The mentoring program teaches the ladies the basics of public relations and communications.
To be eligible, for the program, the entrepreneur’s company, must be less than two years old and have not yet obtained Series A funding. A startup requires PR at this key stage but is unlikely to afford to employ an agency to represent them.
Moore was motivated to create the program after moderating a landmark session during the 74th United Nations General Assembly for the Organization of African First Ladies (OAFLAD). During the ceremony, 41 First Ladies from throughout Africa reaffirmed their commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
There was a 30% rise in the number of applications, with 25 African countries contributing. Finally, 25 businesses from 12 countries were accepted to join the 2021 cohort, including the first participation from Francophone Africa.
The 2021 cohort consists of the following individuals:
Selma Ndi Ekfvei (Founder of Data Girl Technologies) – Cameroon
Nadege Bolingo (Founder of Connecticut Institute for Social Entrepreneurship) – Democratic Republic of Congo
Heba Eldessouky (Founder of As Good As New): Egypt
Setsabile Mkhabela (Founder of Boast-ID) – Eswatini
Marly Diallo (Founder of BRT Energy) – Guinea
Nancy Passiany (Founder of Veesh Africa): Kenya
Cathy Chepkemboi (Founder of Tushop) – Kenya
Joanne Osuchukwu (Founder of Hlink)- Nigeria
Ifedolapo Lawal (Founder of Afrinovate Technology LTD) – Nigeria
Adaobi Eneh (Founder of RoboRep) – Nigeria
Ibironke Yekinni (Founder of Testify Limited) – Nigeria
Wunmi Akinsola (Founder of Fashtracker) – Nigeria
Olarenwaju Erogbogbo (Founder of Doing Good Work in Africa) – Nigeria
Kosi Ejieji (Founder of MyChassis) – Nigeria
Tale Alimi (Founder of Owoafara) – Nigeria
Eva Barasa (Founder of Valley Hub Ltd) – Rwanda
Nisingizwe Joselyn (Founder of Smart Ikigega Project) – Rwanda
Fatou Gning (Founder of Amal Crowdfunding) – Senegal
Thato Schermer (Founder of Zoie Health) – South Africa
Siyanda Mpambani (Founder of Pink Torque Projects) – South Africa
Joshna Nagar (Founder of APJ Technologies)- South Africa
Gugu Kheswa (Founder of Hello Africa Travel) – South Africa
Noxolo Fani (Founder of Platform Excel) – South Africa
Prisca Magori (Founder of Tenten Explore) – Tanzania
Rebacca Nanono (Founder of Shetechtive) – Uganda
Source: Techgistafrica