SHEshisa Women’s Business Growth Conference 2025

Deadline: June 13, 2025

The SHEshisa Women in Business Accelerator 2025 is a six-month program aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs in and around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Designed to be sector-agnostic, it offers a safe and proactive learning environment to foster innovation, technology adoption, business skill development, and networking. The program focuses on three pillars: supporting the woman personally, enhancing her business capabilities, and expanding her community connections. Participants will engage in expert-led workshops, mentorship, peer learning, and opportunities to pitch for funding. Eligibility requirements include having an active business for 1-5 years with less than ZAR 1 million in annual turnover, based in KwaZulu-Natal, leveraging or open to integrating technology, and being located near Durban. Applicants must also be South African citizens or permanent residents.

Applications are now open for the SHEshisa Women in Business Accelerator 2025. SHEshisa, which loosely translates to ‘Accelerate,’ is a dynamic, sector-agnostic six-month accelerator program designed to empower and support female entrepreneurs and founders in and around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This program aims to provide a proactive, safe, and collaborative learning environment where women can innovate, adopt new technologies, develop essential business skills, boost their confidence, and forge meaningful connections with other like-minded women and industry stakeholders.

The SHEshisa Accelerator is built around three key pillars of support for female founders:

1. The Woman: Focusing on personal development, this pillar supports the individual behind the business, fostering personal growth across various dimensions including leadership, confidence, resilience, and well-being.

2. Her Business: Providing targeted training, practical tools, and skills, this pillar helps participants refine and innovate their business operations, improve profitability, and adopt new models or technologies to stay competitive.

3. Her Community: Emphasizing the importance of networks and relationships, this pillar aims to expand participants’ professional support systems, facilitate peer learning, and empower women to positively influence and uplift their communities.

Benefits of the Program
Over the course of six months, participants will engage in a combination of in-person and virtual sessions, gaining access to a wide range of valuable opportunities including:

– Expert-led workshops covering critical topics such as problem solving, technology adoption, financial management, marketing strategies, operational excellence, human resources, business model innovation, and effective communication.
– One-on-one mentorship and business coaching tailored to individual needs, helping founders address specific challenges and accelerate growth.
– Peer-to-peer learning opportunities with a cohort of ambitious women entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration, shared learning, and mutual support.
– Funding and investor access: Opportunities to pitch ideas, showcase innovations, and connect with potential investors and funding sources.
– A vibrant community that nurtures both personal and professional development, creating lasting relationships and networks.

Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the SHEshisa Women in Business Accelerator 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria:

– The business has been operational for 1 to 5 years.
– The annual turnover of the business is less than ZAR 1 million.
– The business is based in or actively operating within KwaZulu-Natal.
– The business is enabled by technology or has the potential to pivot and incorporate technology.
– The business demonstrates innovation in its model or is open to applying innovative approaches to its operations.
– Applicants should be located in or near Durban to attend in-person sessions.
– Applicants must be South African citizens or permanent residents.

This is a fantastic opportunity for female entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses, enhance their skills, and build a supportive network in a nurturing environment. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the SHEshisa Women in Business Accelerator 2025—apply now and take the next step towards transforming your business and empowering your future.

Application

Click here to apply

In conclusion, the SHEshisa Women in Business Accelerator 2025 offers a unique and impactful platform for female entrepreneurs in KwaZulu-Natal to accelerate their business growth, develop vital skills, and build meaningful networks. Through its comprehensive six-month program, participants will benefit from expert mentorship, targeted training, peer support, and opportunities to access funding and investors. This initiative not only fosters business innovation and resilience but also empowers women to lead confidently and make lasting contributions to their communities. If you are a passionate female entrepreneur ready to elevate your business and embrace new opportunities, don’t miss this chance—apply now and be part of the transformative SHEshisa journey towards a brighter, more inclusive future.

For more information, visit SHEshisa Women in Business Accelerator.