Spring
Co-designing an accelerator program for early-stage ventures with new products and services that improve the lives of girls in poverty.
We worked with the Girl Effect team at the Nike Foundation and the UK’s Department For International Development (DFID) to co-design an accelerator program for social entrepreneurs creating sustainable products with the potential to empower and improve the lives of young women and girls currently living in poverty.
We undertook a collaborative design-led approach, spending time drawing out the aspirations of each sponsor, seeking out best practice at other accelerators and entrepreneurial programs and taking in the views of entrepreneurs themselves from across East Africa..
The $29 million 5 year program will be funding early-stage ventures with an initial grant, that will fuel the next stage of growth to further the impact of their product or service. Entrepreneurs will be applying globally, and the countries of Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda will be the initial focus – rolling out to 5 other countries in Africa and Asia after that.
The program combines capital, a global network of technical expertise, mentorship and uniquely a process to co-design the products with girls in these markets.