In an effort to further its focus on building sustainable Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Republic Bank is once again partnering with Business & People Development (BPD) Associates Limited, a locally based Business and People Development organisation for the Entrepreneurs Business Builder (EBB) programme.
The initiative, which falls under the Bankās Power to Make A Difference programme will focus solely on the women entrepreneur with the aim of empowering them to grow technology-enabled, future-proofed – profitable businesses.
Given the strategic importance of the Bank and BPDās support for SMEs and developing business communities, together with the success of the first cohort last year, this partnership continues in 2023. The first cohort consisted of two phases with 93 participants completing phase one in March 2022 and 19 women progressing to Phase two, who graduated in a virtual ceremony.
The 2023 Entrepreneurs Business Builder, launched on International Womenās Day, has adopted a different structure from its predecessor. A maximum of 80 Caribbean women entrepreneurs with a minimum of two years of entrepreneurial experience will now have the opportunity to apply for the four-month, self-paced online learning programme. Participants can also qualify to receive up to 80% scholarship funding.
The programme adopts a systematic approach to ensure that the learning strategies and tactics implemented will generate long-lasting personal and business results for all women entrepreneurs involved. It is expected that by the end of the programme, the participants will be more confident and have businesses that are tech-enabled, robust and demonstrate accelerated growth.
The registration process will end on Friday, 24 March and all applicants will be informed of the outcome of the selection process by May 2023.