Deadline Date: May 21, 2026
The VV Venture AI for Impact Program is a six-month global virtual initiative supporting women entrepreneurs in building leadership skills and using AI to grow and improve their businesses.
The focus areas, of the program include leadership development, AI knowledge building, operational optimization, customer engagement enhancement, decision-making improvement, participation in a global women entrepreneurs cohort, cross-cultural collaboration, peer learning, and integration into a global impact-driven network of women leaders.
The program runs from July to December 2026 and is structured in two phases. The first phase, from July to September, centers on the Vital Voices Leadership Journey curriculum, where participants engage in structured leadership development through interactive sessions, small-group discussions, and learning from guest speakers. This phase is designed to deepen core leadership practices using the foundation of decades of global leadership experience.
The second phase, from October to December, focuses on practical artificial intelligence learning. This phase alternates between AI workshops led by experts and Makers Space sessions, where participants actively apply AI tools to their own ventures. The learning approach emphasizes experimentation, hands-on application, and collaborative learning with peers in the cohort.
Participants are expected to commit to attending all virtual sessions throughout the program period, dedicating approximately five to seven hours per month to sessions and related exercises. They are also required to complete a pre-program needs assessment as well as four impact surveys, including mid-program, post-program, 12-month, and 24-month follow-ups. Active engagement in peer learning and openness to cross-cultural collaboration within a global network of women entrepreneurs is also an essential expectation.
To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18 years old by June 2026 and identify as women. They must demonstrate proficiency in English and must not be currently enrolled in or recently graduated from another Vital Voices leadership program within the past year. Applicants must operate a registered, for-profit, purpose-driven business with at least five years of consistent operations and proven market traction. The business must integrate social impact into its core mission, addressing issues such as community needs, environmental sustainability, or economic inclusion. Additionally, applicants must hold a leadership role such as founder, co-founder, CEO, or executive leader with decision-making authority to drive strategic change and innovation. No technical background is required for participation.
The program brings together a cohort of 35 women social entrepreneurs and connects them to the broader Vital Voices Global Network of 49,000 changemakers across 195 countries, fostering long-term collaboration and impact-driven leadership development.
For more information, visit Vital Voices.
