Amplifying the voice of female entrepreneurs
Female Foundry is our global mentorship programme that supports female leaders to build successful digital economy businesses and helps diversify the global business community. The initiative was inspired by iProspect’s proprietary Hear Her Voice research, which opened our eyes to the inequality that exists for female entrepreneurs compared to male counterparts.
We are committed to mentoring entrepreneurs and change makers to empower and accelerate their growth as part of our Social Impact strategy. In 2020, we were proud to have exceeded our goal supporting over 100 female founded business. And by 2030 our goal is to support 500 more, through programmes like Female Foundry.
Programme Overview
Female Foundry is designed to help women founders rise to today's challenges and create a better future for themselves, their company and their community. We tailor make each bootcamp curriculum to best meet the needs of the entrepreneurs in each market, as a result of our Hear Her Voice research. Overall, Female Foundry looks to address some common areas such as:
From Founder to Leader
Going from start-up to growth, and from growth to scale, is very much a personal journey as a business one, so we start with the founder: her company, her goals and her values.
Business Model
The rules impacting how companies create and deliver value are changing fast. We explore how to analyse a business model to see what works, what needs to change and how to achieve new opportunities.
Customer Journey
Successful companies have an intimate understanding of their customers. We help founders examine their customers in greater detail, to help them create and deliver incredible value.
Thriving in a Digital Marketplace
Many new companies quickly lose track of their digital infrastructure, including their most important customer-facing channels. We look at methods to stay on top of the business’ digital strategy and maintain growth trajectories.
Redefining Products for Growth
We take a look at exciting and relevant models of product development and how growing companies support new products and new customers.
Mentoring
Direct access to industry experts ensure entrepreneurs can realise their leadership and business potential. Founders are matched to a dentsu or partner volunteer for a formal mentoring scheme as part of each bootcamp.
“I want to be able to see women in leadership, and say that I identify with her. She looks like me, she sounds like me, if she could do it, I could do it too.”
Roshni Mahtani, CEO and Founder, Tickled Media
How to join
To find out which markets are currently running the programme please see the bottom of the page. Criteria for female entrepreneurs who want to join to Female Foundry are defined as part of each market's application process. In general, to participate in Female Foundry:
- Women must own some share of the business equity and hold the main leadership position
- The company must be trading and should have the aspiration for growth
- The business will be a technology company or tech enabled that has the potential to scale
- The business must be within the region of the host market
Hear Her Voice
Each bootcamp is built on the insights we gain through our proprietary Hear Her Voice research, and reflect the specific challenges women founders face in their local market. We’ve asked probing questions and women entrepreneurs responded, openly sharing their successes and challenges. Now, everything we’ve learned is right here. Dive in, get to know her, and #HearHerVoice in these whitepapers.
Hear Her Voice APAC
Globalisation. Competition. Technology. South-East Asian women are capitalising on the growing opportunities for entrepreneurship with sustainable, tech-powered ventures.Hear Her Voice Africa
Hear Her Voice is our initiative within the Female Foundry that takes a deep look at how women in emerging markets are leveraging technological advancements to advance their businesses.Hear Her Voice LATAM
They are brave and seek achievements, independence, and flexibility. They want their businesses to prosper because they believe in their positive impact. LATAM’s female entrepreneurs do not give up...For more Information
Canada
Female Foundry is here to empower Canadian female founders with the tools and resources they need to launch and grow their business
Link to CanadaRussia
Female Foundry will support women entrepreneurs in Moscow to grow their digital presence and leadership skills through online trainings, mentoring and community networking.
Link to RussiaSouth Africa
Now in its second year, Female Foundry continues to create a community of strong South African female business leaders
Link to South AfricaPartners
We work with partners to bring the very best training and mentoring to the female entrepreneurs who join us. Contact us to become a partner
Link to Partners