I’M IN Entrepreneurial Programme Celebrates The Graduation Of 30 Female-Student-Founded Start-Ups
I’M IN Entrepreneurial Programme Celebrates The Graduation Of 30 Female-Student-Founded Start-Ups. A momentous occasion unfolded as the I’M IN Entreprenuerial Programme in partnership with Telkom’s Enterprise and Supplier Development unit, Telkom FutureMakers, JP Morgan and the Embassy of Ireland, collaborated to mark a remarkable milestone – the graduation of 30 Female-Student-Founded start-ups. This event took place on the 26th of April 2024 in Rosebank, Johannesburg, symbolising not just an end but a glorious beginning, as these graduates stand poised to venture into the next phase of their entrepreneurial odyssey, equipped with newfound expertise, insights, and an unyielding spirit.
I’M IN Ideation shines brightly as a guiding light for female students hailing from universities and colleges in lower living standard measure (LSM) areas. It serves as a robust platform, offering vital resources, mentorship, and direction crucial for stepping confidently into the realm of entrepreneurship. More than just fostering businesses, this initiative embodies a profound commitment to nurturing innovation and empowerment among women, who have historically encountered obstacles in accessing entrepreneurial avenues.
“The I’M IN Entrepreneurial Programme serves as a catalyst for high-growth tech startups, particularly focusing on empowering entrepreneurs who face barriers to accessing resources” shared Dr. Mmaki Jantjies, Group Executive of Innovation and Transformation at Telkom. The symbiotic partnership between IM IN and Telkom FutureMakers plays a pivotal role in this noble endeavour. By championing black-owned, high-growth tech startups, they not only unlock opportunities for technically adept entrepreneurs but also enable access to resources previously beyond reach for many.
The ripple effects of initiatives like I’M IN Ideation extend far beyond the confines of a graduation ceremony. By nurturing creativity and empowering aspiring female entrepreneurs in tandem with Telkom FutureMakers, it nurtures a new cohort of trailblazers poised to ignite positive change in their communities and propel the nation’s economic advancement. As Tshepo Phetla, Head of Business Development at Telkom FutureMakers, eloquently articulates, “This targeted approach is poised to transform access to entrepreneurial resources and opportunities, empowering students from underserved communities to unleash their potential and establish sustainable tech-driven enterprises.”
“As we applaud the graduates of our Ideation program, we spotlight the trailblazing women start-ups whose entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity have ignited positive change” states Mohau Polo Leteka, Founder and Director at I’M IN Accelerator. “It gives us a great sense of achievement as this programme reaffirms our commitment to financial inclusion of the youth and particularly young women.”
