R1m boost for women tech entrepreneurs in SA

The MTN Foundation has launched its second annual Women in Digital Business Challenge. This challenge, which reflects its dedication to empowering women in the digital economy, will run until 31 December 2023, and will award a prize of R100 000 to each of the top 10 women digital pioneers.

“The prize money is intended for use as working capital, business development, acquiring tangible assets, and investing in business technology hardware, software, or intellectual property,” says Lesimola Selepe, senior manager: community programmes at the foundation.

Despite women making up just over 50% of the South African population, their representation in the broader IT industry is not as strong as it should be. MTN SA believes that it is the responsibility of talented women to demonstrate their potential within the science, technology, information, and mathematics (STEM) sectors, especially in a country facing significant skills and youth employment challenges.

“The MTN SA Foundation believes that actively contributing to nurturing scarce skills and encouraging women to enter the sector is a crucial part of making tangible and sustained contributions to the communities in which we operate.”

“In this second MTN Women in Digital Challenge, we will once again provide opportunities for women to advance professionally within the innovative and entrepreneurial environment we are creating for their growth. Hopefully, their success will inspire others and motivate more women to start businesses or seek job opportunities in the IT sector,” says Selepe, adding that the challenge is open to graduates and alumni of the MTN Foundation business support programme.

To help participants shape the future of the tech industry, the Foundation will accept applications and evaluate them through its implementation partners. From these initial applications, the women will participate in a two-day ‘pitching competition’ to showcase their businesses and vie for a place in the top 10.

Following this, the entrepreneurs will embark on a four-month mentorship journey, receiving expert guidance on business growth and the adoption of marketing strategies. Additionally, they will receive assistance in improving the financial and business management skills necessary to run a successful small business.

Upon completing these programs, each of the ten successful candidates will receive their R100 000 funding for the development of their businesses at a formal function.

“The foundation’s first MTN Women in Digital Business Challenge event in 2022 demonstrated that women are not only capable of competing in the demanding IT sector but also make significant contributions to society by closing gaps in IT education. They provided young learners with opportunities to develop their skills by offering teaching and coding skills.”

“We have no doubt that the ten finalists who benefit from the R100,000 injections into their businesses nationwide will continue to build their businesses and assist others in achieving their technical ambitions,” says Selepe.

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