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BY QUINCY PRESTON • JUN 20, 2023
Are you a woman entrepreneur looking to kickstart your innovative business idea? Here’s an incubator program based in Denton that could transform your dreams into reality.
Texas Woman’s University’s Center for Women Entrepreneurs, in collaboration with Stoke Coworking, is opening applications for the fourth installment of AccelerateHER, a unique incubator program exclusively for women-owned businesses. Eight woman-owned businesses will be picked to participate.
Stoke Executive Director Heather Gregory says the collaboration with the TWU Center for Women Entrepreneurs is significant.
According to Gregory, the partnership plays a pivotal role in empowering women and women-identifying entrepreneurs with the necessary resources and knowledge, thereby fostering the inception and expansion of their businesses.
The TWU Center for Women Entrepreneurs highlights recent stats that four of every 10 U.S. businesses are owned by women, generating $3.1 trillion in revenue, and that one in five firms with revenue of $1 million or more is woman-owned.
And while Texas has been named among the best states for female entrepreneurs (No. 5 in 2023), women founders need resources.
That’s where AccelerateHER comes in.
“The support, education, and connections we offer will make a positive impact on each entrepreneur and their business,” Gregory said in a statement.
‘Lead, innovate, and conquer’
Designed to bolster early-stage ventures, AccelerateHER offers a place for testing ideas, scaling businesses, and acquiring vital business insights, according to a news release from the partners.
The program goes beyond the honing of entrepreneurial skills. It connects to a supportive community of mentors, program managers, and partner networks. The selected eight businesses will be equipped with intensive business development training, mentorship, networking opportunities, and working space at Stoke.
Unleashing Leadership Potential with TWU CWE
The Center for Women Entrepreneurs, a part of TWU’s Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership, champions women’s leadership and entrepreneurship through various channels, including business advisory services, grant funding, and entrepreneurial education.
AccelerateHER focuses on startups looking to solidify their business models, gain customer feedback, execute effective marketing plans, and enhance their product and service propositions.
Through a multi-pronged approach, the program drives participants to attain significant growth, funding, and revenue-generating milestones.
The journey with AccelerateHER goes beyond traditional learning, organizers say. Participants can participate in weekly workshops on key aspects such as business planning, financial projections, brand building, leadership, and more. The program includes structured mentorship opportunities and one-on-one meetings with program managers, establishing an accountability framework for the cohort.
The grand finale
Capping off the program is a public event where the entrepreneurs can present their ideas and growth plans. This finale is a celebration of the accomplishments of these women entrepreneurs, giving them a chance to connect with potential partners, employees, customers, and investors.
Ready to be a part of this game-changing experience? Applications are now open until 5 p.m. on July 9. The program starts on September 1, 2023, and runs through January 2024. Eligible businesses must prove at least 51% women ownership.
Find detailed information and application forms here.