Great turnout for the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in Iceland

The University of Iceland received 85 valid applications for participation in the Academy for Woman Entrepreneurs (AWE) in collaboration with the American Embassy in Iceland. Twenty-five women have been chosen to participate in the programme which starts today.

AWE is held for the first time in Iceland but it aims at supporting women in further developing their business ideas and increasing their presence within in innovation and entrepreneurship. AWE is also designed for women who already own companies to develop them and improve the conditions of operation.

AWE is a worldwide platform organised by the American government. AWE is  centred around the online training programme, DreamBuilder, developed through a partnership between Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management; workshops organised by the University of Iceland, and an experienced group of women entrepreneurs and professionals in Iceland. 

Fida Abu Libdeh, CEO and co-founder of GeoSilica, and Sandra Mjöll Jónsdóttir Buch, Product Marketing Manager at Florealis, will share their vast experience in innovation and entrepreneurship  as mentors in the programme. A diverse group within and outside of the University is involved in  AWE, including the Association of Business Women in Iceland, Young Professional women and Women of the multicultural ethnicity network in Iceland.  

Call for participation was sent out last November after an introductory meeting and from the number of applications it is clear that there is a great demand for a platform of this kind. A total of 85 valid applications for participation in AWE were received, whereof a selection committee chose 25 to participate. The women come from all over Iceland with diverse backgrounds and experiences. It is worth mentioning that all applicants get access to DreamBuilder to support the realisation of their business idea.

The programme was launched today, 4 January, and will be followed by workshops customised for Icelandic circumstances touching upon marketing, founding companies in Iceland, networking, procuring funds, patent and copyright issues, social media and more. AWE is entirely online and ends on 12 March with a graduation and final ceremony.

Further information can be found on the AWE website and Facebook page.