I’M IN And J.P. Morgan Launch Ideation Incubator To Empower Female Entrepreneurs
I’M IN And J.P. Morgan Launch Ideation Incubator To Empower Female Entrepreneurs. I’M IN Entrepreneurial Programme has officially opened applications for the inaugural Ideation Incubator, exclusively targeting female students with technology startup ideas. Over a 3-month period, the selected qualifying female students will receive an equity-free investment of R50,000 in the form of a participation stipend, data and laptop costs, business skills training and access to the I’M IN ecosystem. Applications are open https://www.imin.business/ until 12 May 2023.
“We are looking for exciting and disruptive technology ideas across all verticals. More importantly, we want to partner with Black female students who are excited to use technology to solve real problems in their communities and share our mission-driven approach.” said Palesa Tabai, I’M IN programme lead. To qualify, female students need to be from the 7 selected institutions in Gauteng: University of Johannesburg (Soweto), Tshwane University of Technology, Vaal University of Technology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, and the Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology, Wethinkcode and Girl Code.
The I’M IN Ideation Incubator Programme aims to empower Black female students from non-traditional tech or non-tech-enabled entrepreneurship backgrounds. We believe that providing these students with mentorship, guidance, and a clear roadmap for securing essential funding will increase the rate of technology adoption in their communities. By offering this support, the programme levels the playing field and offers a unique opportunity for female students to develop solutions to address challenges faced by their own communities. At I’M IN, we are committed to equipping these under-represented voices with the necessary tools to contribute to the African tech ecosystem.
“Business ownership is an important avenue for wealth building across the world, yet equitable access to critical resources needed for business to grow and scale is limited.” says Kevin Latter, senior country officer for sub-Saharan Africa at J.P.Morgan. “J.P. Morgan is pleased to be supporting I’M IN’s Ideation Incubator Programme to help advance access to mentorship, capital, and other supportive resources to help close this gap for underserved female entrepreneurs in South Africa”.
