Deadline: 16-Jul-23
The U.S. Embassy in India announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to train a cohort of women entrepreneurs from the northeastern states of Mizoram and Tripura.
This funding opportunity seeks to build on the previous three editions of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program to train a cohort of 30 women entrepreneurs from Mizoram and Tripura, through the fourth edition, and continue to build on the already existing partnerships with the private sector and government agencies in these states. The program will promote business growth and expansion, the adoption of innovation and technology in existing enterprises, and will introduce opportunities for funding.
Through the Acceleration program in Kolkata up to 20-30 new women entrepreneurs from Mizoram and Tripura will be encouraged for seed funding and market access opportunities. The project will partner with Nexus Sturt Up Hub at the American Center in New Delhi, to provide knowledge, support, and funding guidance during the advanced workshop/bootcamp in Kolkata. Through AWE, participants will learn core business skills, then get together as a class to discuss the material with experienced implementers, local mentors, and U.S. Exchange Alumni. Partnerships with local NGOs, universities, and chambers of commerce offer women the opportunity to amplify their newly learned business skills and network with other businesspeople through speed mentoring, pitch competitions, and entrepreneurship fairs. AWE 4.0 will also focus on women entrepreneurs from STEAM fields with innovative business ideas, driven by technology, in the age group of 20 – 45 years who have at least completed class 12, and may be pursuing higher education.
Project Goal: Promote U.S.-India partnerships by connecting women entrepreneurs with information and expertise that will empower them to become business leaders in their communities.
This project is expected to advance this goal by:
- Promoting a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship with a focus on women’s empowerment.
- Promoting U.S.-India partnership through exchange of information and expertise with a focus on entrepreneurship; and
- Creating women role models to encourage entrepreneurship as a first career choice among the youth population.
Program Objectives
The grantee will build on the already existing partnerships with the private sector and government agencies in Mizoram and Tripura to focus on a results-oriented entrepreneurship program to directly train a cohort of 30 women entrepreneurs over a period of 18 months. This will be done through a hybrid module of online Dreambuilder training and in-person boot camp and “shark tank” styled pitch-mentoring sessions to promote business growth and expansion, adoption of innovation and technology in existing enterprises, and funding opportunities.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: Not to exceed 12 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 1 award (dependent on amounts)
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $40,000 to a maximum of $60,000
- Total available funding: $60,000
- Anticipated program start date: September 1, 2023
Project Deliverables
At least 50 percent participants demonstrate improved “elevator pitches” and a better knowledge of marketing strategies, access to basic financial services, and market linkages and increased customer and revenue bases.
- Number of viable business ideas, new networks, access to funding opportunities, scaling up opportunities.
- Number of partnerships within the network including AWE -1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 cohorts, including alumni engagement and mentoring.
- Significant examples of fundraising.
- Improved presentation skills by the end of the project tenure.
- Increased seed funding and market access opportunities.
- Capacity and skill building through in-person bootcamps in two state capitals (Mizoram & Tripura) and advanced workshop in Kolkata.
Project Audience(s)
- Women entrepreneurs from the states of Mizoram and Tripura with innovative business ideas, aged between 20-45 years, who have at least completed class 12, and may be pursing higher education in STEAM fields.
Eligibility Criteria
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
- Public and private educational institutions
- Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions
For more information, visit Grants.gov.