Dentsu Aegis Network calls for entries for Female Foundry Start-Up Accelerator Programme

Dentsu Aegis Network has announced the call to enter its Female Foundry Accelerator Programme – an initiative to mentor, develop and fund female led start-ups that embody innovation, diversity, social sustainability and tech leadership, following closely after the announcement earlier this year.

All female-founded businesses with a focus on tech based in South or Southeast Asia are invited to sign up, with entries open until October 7. They must have a sustainable long-term business plan and have already secured seed funding. Interested participants who meet the requirements can register for the programme here.

With a strong focus on solidifying key foundational elements of a business strategy, the programme will take place over the course of two months with a unique curriculum created to deep dive into key areas that are essential to scale businesses.

The accelerator programme will partner selected candidates with senior industry mentors. A panel of strong and inspiring female business leaders from across Dentsu Aegis Network and its strategic business partners will also give guidance throughout the programme, sharing extensive experience on digital, marketing, finance and operations.

Going beyond educating and training candidates, the programme will culminate with a demo day in early December with possible second round funding from venture capitalists Dentsu Ventures, Monk’s Hill Ventures and others.

Ruth Stubbs, CEO of iProspect Asia Pacific and a key driver of the Female Foundry initiative, said, “This initiative is a wonderful opportunity for female leaders to pursue their dreams and ambition of owning a business that will be seamlessly assimilated into today’s dynamic business-tech landscape. We want to build an industry that is socially conscious and these women and the emerging markets that they are based in, have an integral role that we cannot overlook. The processes of traditional business is changing and Dentsu Aegis Network’s initiative will help these women to be at the forefront, leading this dynamic transformation.”

“The launch of Female Foundry will create new partnerships for our clients and innovate our industry. It will support female founders of start-ups across South and Southeast Asia by providing access to tools and connections, skills to develop commercial knowledge and training to scale platforms – allowing them to thrive as businesses in the complex digital economy,” added Nick Waters CEO Dentsu Aegis Network Asia Pacific.

Female Foundry has been developed by Dentsu Aegis Network to drive diversity in business by partnering with women empowerment initiatives such as Female Founders, Women Unlimited and Facebook’s She Means Business.