Texas Woman's University & Stoke Coworking Launch AccelerateHER Program for Women-Owned Businesses

Texas Woman's University's Centre for Women Entrepreneurs, in partnership with Stoke Coworking, has opened applications for the fourth iteration of AccelerateHER, an innovative incubation program exclusively designed for women-owned businesses. This program aims to empower women entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge to launch and grow their enterprises successfully.

Heather Gregory, the executive director of Stoke, emphasizes the significance of the partnership with TWU Centre for Women Entrepreneurs in supporting women and entrepreneurs who identify as women. The program aims to bridge the gender gap in entrepreneurship and help women achieve their business goals.

According to recent statistics from the TWU Centre for Women Entrepreneurs, one in five companies with revenues of $1 million or more are owned by women, and four out of every ten U.S. enterprises are women-owned. Although Texas ranks fifth among the best states for female entrepreneurs in 2023, support is still crucial for female creators, and AccelerateHER fills that role.

AccelerateHER offers a unique space for concept testing, company growth, and gaining crucial business insights. It goes beyond traditional entrepreneurial development by providing access to a valuable network of partners, program administrators, and mentors. The eight chosen women-owned enterprises will receive comprehensive business development training, mentoring, networking opportunities, and access to workspace at Stoke.

The TWU Centre for Women Entrepreneurs, operating under the Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership, promotes women's leadership and entrepreneurship through various means, including business consulting services, grant financing, and entrepreneurial training. AccelerateHER focuses on strengthening business models, gathering customer feedback, implementing effective marketing strategies, and enhancing product and service offerings.

The program encourages participants to achieve significant growth, financial milestones, and revenue generation through a multifaceted approach. Weekly seminars on essential topics such as brand marketing, financial forecasting, and leadership will be open to participants. Additionally, one-on-one sessions with program managers and mentorship opportunities will create an accountability framework for the cohort.

The program will culminate in an open forum where entrepreneurs can share their concepts and expansion strategies. This event serves as a celebration of the successes of female business owners, offering them networking opportunities with potential collaborators, associates, clients, and investors.

Applications for the AccelerateHER program are now being accepted until July 9 at 5 p.m. The program is set to begin on September 1, 2023, and will run until January 20, 2024. To be eligible, businesses must demonstrate at least 51% female ownership. This program presents an exciting opportunity for women-owned enterprises to embark on an adventure that could transform their businesses.