US-funded AWE programme Graduated 90 Women Entrepreneurs in Dhaka

The US Embassy in Dhaka, collaborated with the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) from Bangladesh’s BRAC University to educate 90 young women entrepreneurs through the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme.

The 90 aspiring women entrepreneurs graduated from the AWE program in a ceremony at the BRAC University's Badda campus on Sunday.

Leading the event, Megan Bouldin, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim confirmed that the US government is committed towards strengthening women’s economic empowerment and create gender-inclusive growth. She also highlighted the US government’s commitment towards helping underrepresented groups, especially, religious and other minorities. 

78 women entrepreneurs were honoured at the event. These women hailed from various regions of Bangladesh including Sylhet, Cumilla, Barishal, Khagrachari, Jashore, Chattogram, and Dhaka, who completed the second cohort of the US-funded programme.

"Congratulations to the remarkable women who completed the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme this year," said Bouldin. "You are paving the way for future generations of women entrepreneurs and proving that women have a critical role in Bangladesh's economic development."

During the ceremony, six participants were awarded for their exceptional business pitches. Bouldin further revealed a supplementary grant of $30,000 to support a business pitch competition that will engage 140 participants from all AWE cohorts.

The event featured a mini-fair where graduates exhibited and marketed their products, illustrating the entrepreneurial abilities they cultivated during their training. Numerous participants hailed from marginalized and minority communities, underscoring their resilience and commitment.

The AWE program, a worldwide initiative of the U.S. Department of State, empowers women by providing them with vital business acumen and skills. This program is executed in collaboration with Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of Global Management and the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, leveraging the DreamBuilder platform for online education and the enhancement of soft skills.

This year's cohort prioritised women from indigenous, minority, and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Conducted in Bangla by industry experts, the three-month course underscored sustainability, peer learning, and networking to foster long-term business growth. 

he collaboration between the US Embassy and BRAC University's Center for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) demonstrates a mutual dedication to empowering women entrepreneurs and fostering the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh.

This initiative is in accordance with the US National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality, which champions the complete economic involvement of women and their vital roles in enhancing both global and local prosperity.