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Lionesses of Africa

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Spark's SHE Programme accelerates women led social ventures impacting women and girls

May 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Spark South Africa is on a mission - to search across the country for female startup founders who have launched a venture that exists to improve the lives of women and girls. The SHE programme believes that women are the best levers for change in South Africa, and it recognises that female founders need help if they are to succeed. And, they need that help now. 

On the SHE programme, fifteen female founders are selected and go through an intense five-day live-in entrepreneurship accelerator where they access world class training from the Spark* International team and rapidly improve their ventures to make them more scalable, sustainable and impactful. After the accelerator, Spark* South Africa provides up to three years of support, with access to lawyers, website and graphic designers, mentors, research and quick and frequent injections of R2500 to help them overcome barriers or test ideas. 

We connect our entrepreneurs with the South African women of influence in our network who mentor them, open connections, invest, and forge the deals that take their ventures to the next level of growth and impact.

The team at Spark International are a proven team and have a great track record in helping entrepreneurs on their journeys to success. Since 2011 Spark* International has accelerated 205 entrepreneurs across South Africa, Kenya and Australia, and these ventures have significantly and measurably improved the lives of 46,495 people living in poverty. Spark* is recognised globally as one of the leading players in the startup impact entrepreneurship space and our team is made up of proven entrepreneurs, graduates from the world’s best universities, and most importantly, South Africans. We know what works, and we know how to accelerate female founded startups.

So, the countdown is on - applications for the SHE programme must be received by Spark on or before 1 June, so contact them today. 

Please direct all enquiries to the CEO of Spark* South Africa, Katleho Tsoku, at katleho@sparkinternational.org 

In Features Tags Social Impact
← Television Interview: Dr. Christel Coetzee co-founder of ADVIT Animal Nutrition talks about her entrepreneurial journeyVideo: Melanie Hawken founder of Lionesses of Africa talks about her online platform for women entrepreneurs →

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Vibrant African style…Lilly Alfonso is a renowned fashion brand in Malawi created by founder and Head Designer, Lilly Alfonso. She is a two-time International Fashion Award winning designer for her contributio Image of the Day / Pichulik

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Handcrafted eco-footwear…We love the ethos of Uzuri K & Y in Rwanda, an impact driven  footwear manufacturing business founded by entrepreneurs Kevine Kagirimpundu and Ysolde Shimwe. They are changing li Image of the Day / Margaux Wong

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Chocolate love…We are big chocolate lovers at Lionesses of Africa, so we love these beautiful looking and fabulous tasting chocolates from Midunu Chocolates in Ghana, handcrafted by entrepreneur and chocol Image of the Day / Adele’s Mohair

Mohair magic….Lovers of fine mohair will adore these beautiful, luxury yarns, courtesy of Adele’s Mohair, founded by Adele Cutten in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. She has built a highly succes Image of the Day / Kwesh

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Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
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Gladys Kgorane, an entrepreneur creating special events and wellness retreats for those looking for rest and relaxation
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The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
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Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
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After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
Feminine Intelligence: How visionary leaders can reshape business for good by Elina Teboul
Feminine Intelligence: How visionary leaders can reshape business for good by Elina Teboul

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