Launched in March 2021, ShEquity Business Accelerator (SHEBA), was created to address the existing gender funding gap by de-risking African female-led businesses, getting them fit for investment and equipping the founders with skills set needed to grow and scale their businesses.
The Accelerator provides venture building and technical support to African female entrepreneurs with impactful and scalable businesses in agribusiness (agritech, production, processing, wholesale & retailing, any other agribusiness value chain aspects), healthcare, tech enabled solutions(fintech, clean-tech, etc.), renewable energies, mobility and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs).
SHEBA is the bridge for female founder to access capital: after the acceleration program, qualifying businesses are recommended to ShEquity team for investment consideration. The typical ShEquity seed investment range between US$50K to 250K. In addition, SHEBA demo days where other investors have opportunities to access impactful and scalable female-led businesses.
The SHEBA program is designed to address investors’ concerns including key investment risks. The 16 weeks program focuses on getting female-led and owned businesses fit for investment and increase their chances of getting access to seed funding. Unlike other accelerators not connected to investment vehicle, SHEBA is a deal funnel to ShEquity and other trusted investors.
The program is also designed to enhance leadership and soft skills needed to engage with key partners/customers as well as inspire teams to revamp and test their marketing strategy.
SHEBA equips founders with the skillset needed to develop new business models and mindsets for innovation while leveraging existing tools to be ahead of the competition.
