Building upon the resounding success of our inaugural cohort, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs DRC (AWE DRC) is thrilled to announce our second call for applications. Once more, AWE DRC will endeavor to empower female entrepreneurs from five cities across the Democratic Republic of Congo.
To help you navigate the application process, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of AWE DRC frequently asked questions and their answers.
GENERAL INFORMATION
What is the AWE DRC program?
AWE DRC is a program designed to empower young women in the Democratic Republic of Congo with the skills and knowledge needed to become successful entrepreneurs. The program provides mentorship, training, and funding opportunities to help established female entrepreneurs to grow their businesses
Who is eligible to apply?
Below are the conditions to join the first ever cohort of AWE DRC participants. The applicant should be:
- A female entrepreneur owning a business with all legal documents and proven past business activities.
- Be fluent in English
- Have basic computer literacy skills
- Have a proven communication skills
- Be a resident of one the following cities: Kinshasa, Kisangani, Goma, Bukavu and Lubumbashi
- If selected among the top 20 finalists, you might travel to the United States to attend a training at Harvard University. By then, you should have a valid passport.
What are the benefits of joining the AWE DRC program ?
Participants in the AWE DRC program will receive:
- Mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs
- Business skills training
- Access to funding opportunities
- Networking with other female entrepreneurs
- Potential travel to the US (Harvard University) for additional training
- Continued support to grow their businesses as they gain a US government exchange program alumni support
APPLICATION PROCESS : AWE DRC frequently asked questions
How do I apply for the AWE DRC Cohort 2 program?
- Currently, the only method for applying to participate in the AWE DRC Program is via this website. You will need access to a desktop computer/tablet/smartphone and the Internet to apply. Only those applicants who fully complete the online application will be considered. Applications and information submitted through email or other means will not be considered.
- You will need to complete your application in one session. Please note the deadlines for AWE DRC cohort 2 is September 30, 2024.
- Answer all questions in the application form in English. Spelling and grammar will be evaluated to assess your english proficiency. Avoid using google translate or other online translation sites to translate your response in English. The program is for participants with good English proficiency.
- Questions that require a response are marked with an asterisk (*). Questions that are not marked with an asterisk are OPTIONAL and do not have to be completed.
- All answers in the application including written responses to personal statements must be your own original work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated, and applicants found to have plagiarized will be disqualified.
- You may wish to review the application and its questions before filling in the application. Some applicants find it helpful to create their responses offline (in a separate Word document for example) and then cut and paste their responses into the appropriate sections of the application.
For that, provided are all the essay questions for AWE DRC cohort 2 application:
- Why are you passionate about entrepreneurship?What specific experiences or challenges have inspired you to pursue this path? (Max 1000 characters)
- Describe a time when you faced a significant obstacle in your entrepreneurial journey. How did you overcome this challenge, and what lessons did you learn? (Max 1000 characters)
- How do you envision your business contributing to the economic development and social progress of the Democratic Republic of Congo? What specific goals do you have for your venture? (Max 1000 characters)
- What specific problem are you trying to solve? How big (important) is that problem? (Max 1000 characters)
- How does the business solve this problem? ( 500 characters)
- Is yourbusiness innovative? What is your competitive advantage? (500 characters)
- How do you anticipate your participation in the AWE DRC program will benefit your business? (Max 1000 characters)
- How do you envision yourself contributing to the AWE DRC community?What skills or experiences can you bring to the program? (Max 500 characters)
What documents are for selection ?
During the second phase of the application process, we will ask for proof of operations or revenue generation. This information will help us understand the current state of your business and decide on whether to select you or not.
Please note that at this stage, we only require you to complete the application form. Once you are selected as a potential participant, we will request additional documentation to verify your eligibility.
Is AWE only for women?
AWE is specifically designed for women taking part in a facilitated experience hosted by U.S Embassies and Consulates participating in AWE.
Can I correct my responses after submitting ?
Yes, you can correct your responses after submission but only before the Call for application’s deadline.
How will participants be selected for the AWE DRC program?
A team of independent reviewers will review each application that we will receive having these questions in mind:
- Does the candidate meet the profile of the typical candidate we are looking for (cfr eligibility criteria)? Does this candidate have a sound business (post revenue) with a lot of potential for scale? Is the candidate’s business ready for funding?
- Does the candidate have the potential to make a difference in solving some of the most pressing issues we are facing in DR Congo?
- Will this candidate be able to gain something from the AWE program but also be willing to “give” and contribute to the AWE alumni network and the wide US exchange programs alumni?
- Does this candidate stand out among other candidates in terms of uniqueness of the idea, potential to scale, impact, and past achievements of her business?
The top participants will go under an extensive interview before being confirmed as participants of the AWE DRC cohort 2.
PROGRAM DETAILS (AWE DRC frequently asked questions)
How will the program be structured?
Training and Mentorship: Participants will receive training on various business topics, such as business planning, financial management, marketing, and leadership. They will also be paired with experienced mentors who can provide guidance and support. Training will have a hybrid format leverage the DreamBuilder platform: https://dreambuilder.org
Networking Opportunities: AWE DRC will facilitate networking events and connections with other entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts. A potential travel to Harvard University may expose top participants to global networks.
Funding Support: The program may offer funding opportunities to help participants launch or expand their businesses.
Community Engagement: Participants will be encouraged to engage with their communities and contribute to local economic development.
Thank you for having taken time to go through this AWE DRC frequently asked questions.
