Acumen Gender Equity and Advancement Accelerator Program for Social Entrepreneurs

Acumen Gender Equity and Advancement Accelerator Program for Social Entrepreneurs

Gender Equity and Advancement Accelerator: Refine and develop a profitable and scalable business model that advances gender equity

To support social entrepreneurs committed to leading the change in gender inclusion, the acumen accelerator will equip leaders with the moral leadership lessons, business skills, and learnings from our successful portfolio companies to continue scaling their enterprises in a gender inclusive way.

How it Works

During this 12-week program, you will learn the essentials for building a scalable business model that achieves both profitability and impact. Working alongside your close-knit cohort of entrepreneurial peers and Acumen experts, you’ll develop your leadership and business skills as you design your plan to embed gender equity as you scale.

As a participant, you’ll gain access to industry-specific case studies, video tutorials and practical readings, and receive invaluable one-on-one support and guidance from the team. Each week, you’ll complete assignments designed to help you think critically about your business model and introduce you to gender-inclusive best practices. During the leadership sessions, you’ll be challenged to redefine success and develop the moral imagination to create a society centered on dignity — then employ your new leadership and business skills to make it a reality.

You’ll also gain access to tools and teachings from Value for Women, including a training on the entry points, policies, and practices that will help you work towards becoming a gender equitable business.

The program will culminate with a closing gathering, including pitch practice and a celebration for all the hard work, lessons learned, and new relationships you’ll take with you as you scale your business in a gender-inclusive way.

Eligibility Requirements

The accelerator is open to social entrepreneurs who:

Run a social enterprise (nonprofit or for-profit) based in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia) or West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Gambia) who are working to solve problems of poverty and dignity

Are dedicated to investing in their personal and business growth

Are deeply committed to the work of tackling poverty and injustice and are interested in being part of a global

community bound by values

Have an enterprise that has been operational for 18 months or more (please note: if this is your second or third venture, this requirement is flexible. Be sure to include this in your application.)

Have a team of three or more full-time staff

Have a commitment to serving women across three entry points, and evidence of action in at least one:

Market (products and services)

Internal organization (workforce and policies)

Value chain (supply and distribution)

Benefits

Facilitated virtual Learning Labs for peer learning and discussion

Leadership lessons such as Listening to Voices Unheard and Partnering with Humility and Audacity

One-on-one consultation calls with Acumen’s team

Video tutorials on customer discovery, sales and marketing, financial modeling, pitching, and more Unconscious bias training, workshops, and self-assessment strategies for embedding gender inclusivity into your scaling plan

Case studies from social enterprises that have successfully scaled and contributed to gender equity and advancement

Graduate Into the Acumen Foundry

Upon completing the 12-week program, participants are admitted to The Foundry, an invite-only community designed to accompany entrepreneurs and leaders from around the world by connecting them with the social capital (resources and relationships) to amplify their work in building a just, inclusive, and sustainable world.

Foundry members have exclusive access to:
Events to learn and connect with fellow foundry members

Professional development opportunities that may include pro-bono consulting services and professional leadership coaching

Experts within the Acumen Ecosystem for mentorship or advisory sessions

Referrals to affiliated leadership programs and platforms

Access to funding, grants offered ad hoc by other organizations, or referrals within the Acumen network

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; Acumen Gender Equity and Advancement Accelerator Program for Social Entrepreneurs

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