WeScale: a cross-regional accelerator for women entrepreneurs

WeScale Accelerator Program, a cross-regional accelerator for local women entrepreneurs, has recently been launched by the Bangladesh Angels consortium with the support of USAID and DAI. 

WeScale is the first cross-regional accelerator in South Asia that focuses on women-led companies looking to raise their first funds. As a Digital Frontiers program, WeScale is a part of the South Asia Regional Digital Initiative (SARDI) by USAID's Innovation, Technology and Research (ITR) Hub. 

The program was implemented in partnership with DAI, alongside angel networks and accelerators from across the region, including Accelerating Asia, SAFAL Partners, India Accelerator and Lankan Angel Network. An info session was hosted on November 6 for prospective applicants for the WeScale Accelerator Program. 

The cross-regional accelerator will start with 100 women entrepreneurs, and work with the top 20 to help raise investments. The program aims to create a sustained network of women entrepreneurs in South Asia who can lean on and learn from other successful women entrepreneurs from the region, and as such, change the status quo in the gender gap in the tech entrepreneurship sector. 

The program is open to women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It features a 12-week virtual program to prepare companies for growth and investment. The program network boasts women entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, government and other key players in the innovation ecosystem. 

Applications for WeScale are open till December 31. To learn more, please visit https://wescale-sardi.com.