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"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA" FDA NEWSLETTER
MASS MAIL
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The AFRICA TRADE CENTRE AND THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA proudly presents you with the following information that may add value to Africa's development.
The Maxum Business Incubator at Innovation Hub, the Meridian International Center and University of Maryland Baltimore County's Center for Women in Information Technology (CWIT) in partnership with Maryland Women in Technology (MDWIT) have been awarded a grant to conduct a professional development programme for 10 women who are aspiring or current ICT entrepreneurs. The goal is to build the competence and confidence of program participants to start or grow successful businesses.
Qualifying candidates must have an information and communications technology (ICT) business/business model or an ICT-enabled business/business model and must be associated with or must plan to associate with, Maxum or another incubator that will provide ongoing mentorship and assistance.
The program consists of a three-week USA training and information-sharing program (from 29 March - 19 April 2008) which will include:
. A customized entrepreneurial and technology skills-based training program at UMBC's Center for Women in Information Technology, on topics such as developing a business plan, managing business finances, managing human resources, managing operations, developing a marketing strategy, dealing with clients, obtaining venture capital, enhancing competitiveness through effective use of technology, developing business leadership skills, and developing a personal model for work/life balance;
. A series of roundtable meetings, panel discussions and networking events with USA public and private-sector organizations that promote women in business; with successful women entrepreneurs, and with women's business associations;
. Site visits to local business incubators;
. Two (2) days of "shadowing" women entrepreneurs in their specific fields;
. Assistance in the preparation of "action plans" for existing or prospective businesses, to be implemented by participants upon return to South Africa; and
. Opportunities to visit historical and cultural sites in the Washington, DC-Baltimore area, USA.
Upon return to South Africa, personal, local mentorship will be provided by Maxum, together with the respective incubators with which the program participants have associated, and "virtual" mentorship will be provided by American women business professionals with whom the participants met during their USA program.
In August or September 2008, site visits to South African participants will be made by the USA mentors to assist with the development and implementation of their businesses. The American mentors will also design and conduct seminars for a wider audience of women and especially PDI (Black, Coloured and Indian) entrepreneurs throughout South Africa, in collaboration with Maxum and the program participants.
After the end of the project activities (approximately 18 months), the program participants will continue to receive mentorship support from their respective incubators, and will be required to submit annual project reports to Maxum for two additional years so that their progress can be followed, their success stories publicized and they can serve as role models for other women entrepreneurs. In addition, it is expected that long-term relationships among and between USA the women who participated in the program, as well as on-going linkages between USA and companies and incubators will be established as a result of this program.
The emphasis will be on women from previously disadvantaged groups (Black, Coloured, Indian) in South Africa and the majority of participants will be selected from these groups.
Presented by:
The Maxum Business Incubator at The Innovation Hub (Pretoria Tshwane)
The Meridian International Center (Washington DC USA)
And sponsored by the Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, USA Department of State
For more information please contact:
22 October 2007
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