HerMeNow Accelerator Program 2023

Deadline: 7 August 2023

If your green social enterprise is in its early stage and you’re looking to increase your impact in MENA and Africa, then this is your chance! Join the 2nd cycle of the HerMeNow Accelerator program.

The 2023 HerMeNow Accelerator is a short program that will bring training support to up to 30 women-led green social enterprises in MENA & Africa in the Bootcamp phase and technical, financial, and mentorship support to 10 women-led green social enterprises in the accelerator phase.

Social enterprises seek to generate profits while maximizing societal and environmental benefits. They aim to create social and environmental impact by supporting women-led social enterprises globally.

Benefits

The 30 shortlisted teams for the bootcamp phase will get:
- Training, mentorship, and other support during the bootcamp phase
- Lifetime access to Bloom’s resources and HerMeNow’s network of entrepreneurs, including mentors, investors, alumni, and staff
In addition, the 10 shortlisted teams for the accelerator phase will get:
- A 2,000$ grant (fresh funds) to support the enterprise’s needs and potential impact
- Training, mentorship, and other support during the three-month accelerator phase
- Demo day exposure and other investor connections.

Program Structure

You will get access to an empowering program that will include monetary prizes, mentoring, access to opportunities, and more.
Open House
- Online discussions and “info sessions” with thought leaders to build awareness and momentum around the program
- Selection process
Bootcamp
- High-intensity two-month-long Bootcamp with workshops, mentorship, and support for all enterprises.
- Bootcamp Demo Day
- Final selection
Accelerator
- Weekly or bi-weekly workshops adapted to the needs of the cohort and enterprises
- Regular milestone check-ins with all enterprises
- Mentorship coordination
- Online or offline Demo Day, or otherwise optimized for the interests of partners and the needs of the enterprises to help the enterprises continue their growth path.

Eligible Countries

Your enterprise is based in one of the eligible countries
- MENA: Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen
- Sub-Saharan East Africa: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania.

Eligibility Criteria

Your enterprise has been operating for at least three years and already generates revenues
Your enterprise is solving a green challenge
- The core business model addresses an environmental issue – Alignment with SDGs
- Tracking of green impact KPIs along with financial impact
- Reinvesting at least half of revenues into green initiatives
You have the potential to sustain your enterprise without the program’s long-term support.
You have more than one person in the team, with at least two members working full-time in the enterprise.
No restrictions on sociographic or other parameters regarding the applicants.
Female-led enterprises and enterprises with higher diversity (age, sex, socio-economic background, refugee/host communities, location around MENA and Africa, etc.) are particularly encouraged to apply.
They are unable to support:
- Enterprises of only one individual.
- Enterprises that are engaged with other entrepreneurship/innovation programs/accelerators, unless there is a clear distinction between the program offerings, and enterprises can demonstrate that they have time and capacity to join this program in addition to their other program commitments.