Absa helps create, grow and protect wealth through partnerships in economic development, while playing a role in Africa’s growth and sustainability in collaboration with CiTi. Two cohorts each consisting of 30 female business owners from across South Africa are participating in the Top Tech Tools for Women in Business programme, sponsored by ABSA and presented by VeloCiTi, the entrepreneurial development and incubation arm of the Cape Innovation & Technology Initiative (CiTi).
This programme kicked off on the 17th of May, 2022 with cohort one with cohort two following on 18 May, 2022. Businesses taking part in this programme include but are not limited to the following industries: tertiary sector, healthcare, wellness, tourism, film and animation, manufacturing and finance, consulting, engineering services and retail.
“Absa realises the importance of developing meaningful partnerships with the purpose of supporting entrepreneurial ventures as well as the growth of small businesses,” says Michelle Anderson Head of Strategy and Group Digital Partnerships in the Information & Technology Office at Absa. “The Women–in–Business programme provides an opportunity for fresh and innovative thinking in technology by women tech–entrepreneurs, who are the brains behind some of the start-ups addressing real-world problems. We are proud to be part of this initiative and believe that such efforts have the potential to enable more women entrepreneurs to be recognised and grow in this space. In the long run, this would create new jobs and significantly contribute to economic growth.”
VeloCiTi’s Women in Business programme is a flagship entrepreneurial development programme aimed at providing strategic support and developing the capacity of female entrepreneurs. The Women in Business programme creates a supportive space for women entrepreneurs to participate in an in-depth, hands-on experiential learning programme looking at game-changing tech tools available to aid in the growth and development of their business and includes a 10-month entrepreneurial development programme sponsored by Absa.
“Throughout Africa, we are witnessing the incredible progress of women business owners who defy social norms in the face of systemic obstacles that include limited access to funding, inadequate scaling of resources, and challenges with work-life balance,” said Lara Rosmarin, head of incubation and entrepreneurial development, Cape Innovation & Technology Initiative. “Through the Women in Business programme, we are equipping women with technology advances, strategic support, mentoring, peer to peer learning and networking opportunities to enable them to navigate and overcome tough competition and ultimately thrive. With Absa’s support, we are extending our reach and providing female business owners across all of South Africa with the opportunity to learn and grow through our programmes and equip themselves with powerful tools to move their businesses to the next growth checkpoints on their journeys.”
The Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi) has a history of 22 years of impact in building a future-fit, inclusive society through technology and innovation. Working with government, business and society, CiTi promotes the inclusive growth of the digital economy. CiTi plays an integral role in catalysing and supporting the South African tech ecosystem.