To mark International Women’s Day, a technical incubator led by the University of Bristol, SETsquared BristolIs opening the application for Entrepreneur Women 2.0, A pre-incubation program for women-led businesses, in partnership with NatWest.
Now in its second year, enterprising women are designed to help women who have business ideas to bring them to the next stage of their development. Eighteen early-stage women entrepreneurs will be selected for a fully funded high impact, low engagement program. During the program, how they will gain access to mentoring, business advice and workshops, including fundraising. Entrepreneur Women 2.0 will conclude with a demonstration and pitching event to recognize their achievements and start their businesses.
SETsquared Bristol is committed to ensuring business support that is inclusive for under-represented groups. It recently announced a record leadership diversity of its 80 members, with 45% of the founders being women and 23% of those from BAME backgrounds. These figures are in line with the UK national average, where less than 10% of women are CEOs in tech companies and less than 9% are senior tech leaders from a BAME background.
SETsquared Bristol’s Center Director Monica Radcliffe says, “NatWest’s Daily Review states that advancing female entrepreneurship represents a £ 250bn opportunity for the UK economy”. This is one of the many reasons that we We are committed to ensuring that women get the best support to realize their business ideas. “
Cheryl Gourley, National Woman in Business Manager at NatWest, says, “At NatWest, women entrepreneurship is a huge hub for us and given the adverse impact of the Kovid-19 epidemic on women-led businesses, there is no better time than now. Increase this support in whatever way we can. We already work with many great women-led businesses in the Southwest, so SETsquared for a second year to deliver its Women Entrepreneurship Program The opportunity to support is very exciting. “
In 2020, Entrepreneur Women 1.0 supported a diverse range of businesses, ranging from AI for creative industries to hydroponic systems for indoor gardening.
Since joining the inaugural event, the breastfeeding support app, LatchAid, has won several Innovate UK funding competitions and has been working with three NHS trusts to pilot their app.
Dr. Chen Mao Davis, Founder and CEO LatchAid Tells us, “The Entrepreneurial Women Program helped me connect with women entrepreneurs who inspire me, learn from well-designed training programs, and benefit from invaluable advice. I would wholeheartedly recommend all women entrepreneurs to join this wonderful program and community! “Katie Donovan-Adekanambi, Founder of Inclusion and Cohesion Specialist BCohco Commenting on the program, “The Entrepreneurial Women Program plugged me in at a very uncertain time. I am still taking advantage of the networking opportunities provided. Our purpose driven business continues to grow steadily with strength.”
Female founders and budding entrepreneurs interested in applying for Entrepreneur Women 2.0 are encouraged to sign up to the program online launch program on Thursday 22 April from 5.30-7pm. The program application deadline is 8 May 2021 and is open to tech, tech-enabled and non-tech businesses.
