C.Moore Media (CMM), a New York-based public relations agency announces the second edition of ‘The Future is Female Mentorship Program’ dedicated exclusively to African female tech founders.
The initiative was launched in 2020 right in the middle of the covid-19 pandemic, so as to support African female techpreneurs and founders who often are unsupported in the tech world that is male-dominated.
The aim of the program is to equip mentees with insights, knowledge, and skills into PR and communication fundamentals for tech startups from how to create and execute communication plans to how to leverage PR and communications to access a wider customer reach, attract investors, and more.
The inaugural program saw 12 African female-led startups from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, selected to take part in a three-month program. For this year’s edition, CMM notes that they are expanding the program and increasing the cohort of selected mentees from 12 to 25.
The program is eligible for African women across Africa or in the diaspora who are launching or growing a tech-related business for the African markets or serving Africans in the diaspora.
CMM, therefore, calls African female techpreneurs and founders to apply (FOLLOW LINK TO APPLY) for this second edition of The Future is Female Mentorship program. Submissions are open and close on July 5th, 2021 and successful female founders will be announced on July 26th, 2021.
During the selection process, CMM will give special consideration to startups that focus on health, education, finance, agriculture, and sustainability. In addition, startups that provide solutions and address the needs of African women and girls will also receive special consideration.
The program will be delivered virtually because of the covid-19 restrictions, and the mentees will participate in masterclasses and sessions customized to the specific needs of their sector and business.
This initiative has been recognized among the first PR and communications mentorship programs dedicated exclusively to support and help African tech female founders.
Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa who was recently listed as one of the first entrepreneurs in the inaugural class of Bloomberg New Economy Catalysts is an Alumnae of The Future is Female Mentorship Program, and the team at CMM are proud of her accomplishments.
“We are proud to have supported Shamim through the mentorship program which helped her leverage public relations to raise the visibility of the incredible work she is doing with her startup,” David Idagu, Africa Regional Lead at C.Moore Media International Public Relations told PC Tech Magazine.
Shamim’s Chil Artificial Intelligence (CAI) Lab was among the 12 African female-led startups selected in CMM’s inaugural program. Two other startups selected from Uganda were Easy Matatu, and Mkaziprenuer.
Who can apply for the program and eligibility
CMM is interested in resilient, resourceful, and savvy female founders with demonstrated traction in building their tech-enabled business.
Eligibility;
- The business is less than two years old.
- Female-founded or have at least one woman who is part of the co-founder team.
- The company is Africa-focused serving African markets or Africans in the Diaspora.
- The company is an early-stage startup (pre-series A investment).
- Have a business plan in place.
- Have a minimum viable product.
- Have a functional website.
- Have launched the startup and have initial traction —i.e., money, users, etc.
