Skip to main content
Forsíða
Forsíða
11/01/2022 - 17:13

Take part in the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs programme

Take part in the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs programme - Available at University of Iceland

The University of Iceland and the US Embassy in Iceland are now inviting applications for the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme. The programme is aimed specifically at women and will take place in February and March. Both individuals and teams can take part in the programme. There is no participation fee and the application deadline is 17 January.

The programme will take place this year for the second time, with the goal of supporting women to develop their companies and business ideas and increase female representation in the entrepreneurial and innovation sector, as well as offering education and strengthening women's social networks.

The AWE programme consists of the online training programme DreamBuilder organised by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and workshops organised by the University of Iceland. Participants are mentored by women who are experienced in innovation and entrepreneurship. Mentors will help them to build their businesses, develop networks and strengthen their professional skills. The programme aims to attract women living all over Iceland from diverse backgrounds and origins. Most workshops will be streamed online.

Prizes are awarded for the best business plans in both individual and team categories:

  • First prize – ISK 500,000
  • Second prize – ISK 300,000 
  • Third prize – ISK 200,000

There is also a prize of ISK 200,000 for the best pitch.

Last year, demand exceeded availability and so the decision has been made to increase the number of places on the programme. 50 business ideas will be selected this year.

You can apply to take part in the programme on the AWE website. The website also contains further information about the programme and a recording of an open meeting that took place at the end of last year.

More information about the AWE programme

The University of Iceland organises the AWE programme in collaboration with the US Embassy. The United States government runs the initiative in over 50 countries all over the world. Iceland is the first Nordic country to participate. The Association of Women Business Leaders and the Women Of Multicultural Ethnicity Network (W.O.M.E.N.) are also involved in organising the AWE programme.

25 women took part last year and have gone on to carve out niches for themselves in Iceland and abroad by continuing to develop and finance their business ideas.

The application deadline for the AWE programme is 17 January.