Fueling Prosperity: Wrapping Up the Economic Growth Amplifier for Female Entrepreneurs in Western Cape

This week we celebrated the close of the Western Cape Economic Growth Amplifier programme – an entrepreneurial development programme for 30 Female Founders run by WomHub in partnership with the Western Cape Government’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism – a partnership with a joint mission to develop existing women led SME’s in the Western Cape to amplify economic growth in the province.
 
The programme was designed intentionally as an amplifier – recognizing the strides that SME’s have already made in creating and sustaining their businesses and then supporting their needs to stimulate growth and scale. On the programme, Founders were led on a journey of masterclasses, venture clinics and pitch coaching as well as mentorship, business and financial coaching to work on practically implementing learnings. In addition, cohort members received grant and equipment funding and access to the WomHub Cape Town co-working and innovation hub -  which this partnership with the Western Cape government contributed to enabling.
 
As we continue to work with female founders we recognise the importance of meeting them where they’re at, providing customised opportunities and coaching to support them and the obstacles faced with running businesses in a challenging economic environment regardless of business stage. On this programme, Founders demonstrated the resilience of female entrepreneurs, but more importantly highlighted the need for investment – in skills, equipment and much needed funding; and access – to networks, opportunities and collaborations to further develop and impact the reigniting of the economy for the province, the nation and the continent!
 
At the closeout session, entrepreneurs showcased their businesses in the pitch competition where Zandile Tlhapi, Founder of Sentle Tech & Tele Services (Pty) Ltd (formerly Khaltsha Communication Hub, Nthabiseng Msingatha, Founder of YOUMETA and Jasantha Singh Founder of Aurora Natural Skincare walked away with cash prizes and connected as a tribe and community on the way forward.