How To Apply For The Access Bank Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton 2021 Programme To Win Up To N5Million

Access Bank Plc has launched the third edition of its Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton programme. The programme is a part of the bank’s “promise to continuously provide financial and business skills to female entrepreneurs across Africa”.

The Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton programme is geared towards providing female-owned businesses in Africa with access to financial support, business training, and mentoring opportunities. Through this programme, female entrepreneurs can get access to enabling environments to grow their business in. Participants can win the grand prize of up to N5million and a mini MBA.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the 2021 Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton Africa programme, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These eligibility requirements include;

• You must be a woman who runs an innovative business.
• Your business must be in one of 9 African countries; Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia, Sierra-Leone, Gambia, Kenya, Mozambique and Congo
• You business must have at least 50% female ownership.
• You must be between the ages of of 18 to 45 years old.

How to Apply for the Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton Programme

Once you fulfil the eligibility requirements above, head online to fill an application on www.womenpreneur.ng. To fill out the application, you will first be required to create a profile for yourself. To create this profile, you will be asked for personal information like your name, phone number, email address, and country. Afterwards, you can have to create a password and submit the form.

The application form is divided into 9 sections;

1. General Information:

Here, you will be required to fill in general information about yourself and your business. Apart from the information provided at sign up, additional personal information like your gender, date of birth and state are required.

You also have to fill in basic information about your business here. This includes information about the name and industry of your business and the country and state it is located in. Also, you will need to provide details about your business’s bank account and its registration state. Financial information about your business’ annual turnover and financial statement are also asked here. Finally, you will be asked for information about your business’ website and Facebook and Instagram pages.

2. Vision:

The next section is the vision section. Here, you have to fill in details about the vision of your business. Questions like ‘Does your business have a vision statement?’ and ‘Does the vision show what the organisation would look like in the future?’ are asked here. You also have to answer the question of whether or not your business can compete for the next 10 years and if your dream is attainable and authentic.

Then, you have to fill in details of your vision, the larger sense of purpose for your business, and your business plans for the next year. All of these details should have been present in your business plan if you have one.

Read Also: 5 Easy Steps To Plan Your 2021 Fashion Business Goals

3. Creativity and Innovation:

This section speaks to the extent of creativity and innovation that is present in your business. It asks questions about an innovative marketing strategy you have or would like to implement. It also seeks to find out ways your business has been innovative and creative during crises. This is a good place to speak up about great things you might have done with your business during the covid-19 pandemic.

4. Unique Selling Proposition:

Every brand must have something that is special about them to stand out of the crowd. This section speaks to that. Her, you will be required to answer questions about your business’ marketing campaigns, customer service, and social media presence. You also have to explain what the special sauce your brand has is.

5. Qualities of the Entrepreneur:

This is the section where you get to blow your own trumpet as an entrepreneur and display your leadership skills. You will answer questions about what your area of expertise, personal achievements, and core values are as an entrepreneur here. You will also explain the qualities you have that have helped you grow your brand and qualities you look out for when hiring employees. This is a section where you are free to highlight your great qualities as an entrepreneur.

6. Social Impact:

This section focuses on the impact your business has on your community. Here, you are asked questions about the problems your business solves in the community and how successful you have been at it. You also have to answer questions about the eco-friendliness and sustainability of your business and whether or not you engage local suppliers and have ethical practices in your business.

7. About the Business:

Next is the section where you go into details about your business. In this section, you explain the purpose of your business, the inspiration behind it and the processes you have in place in your business. You are also expected to upload your financial statement here.

8. Management Team:

This section consists of questions relating to your staff details and your level of involvement in the business. You describe the nature and structure of your team as well as their roles and responsibilities right here.

9. Others:

Lastly is the Others section. This section covers details about who filled the form fo you, how you heard about the programme, and if you can attend the mini MBA training if selected. Here, you also get to read and accept or decline the programme’s terms and conditions.

Finally, you can submit your application for review. All online applications will be reviewed and screened by independent business experts to them trimmed down to 500 candidates. These candidates will then be required to send in a 60 second video pitch for their business’. From here, 100 candidates will be selected to benefit from an exclusive and certified Mini-MBA and grant prizes. The program will last for up to 3 months.

Entries for the Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton programme are open from June 21st – August 13th, 2021. All entrepreneurs must submit their application within this window.

What are you waiting for fashion entrepreneurs? Here’s your chance to get grant funding for your brand.