Vital Voices is now accepting applications to the 2019 VV GROW Fellowship, the leading global accelerator for women owners of small and medium businesses. Entering its sixth year, the VV GROW Fellowship has provided customized business skills training, access to networks and leadership development for 314 women business owners from around the world.
“I learned that if you work with a plan and strategy, you can achieve anything you want with your business.” – Ana Gonzales Ortiz, 2015-2016 VV GROW Fellow
Globally, small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) are critical drivers of prosperity, representing 45% of formal, permanent, full time employment and more than 70% of the job creation of net job growth in low and middle-income countries. While there are an estimated 12 million women-owned SMEs around the world, women business owners face disproportionate barriers to growth in accessing business trainings, support networks, markets and financing.
At Vital Voices, we know that women owned businesses are a powerful force to inclusive growth and prosperity. By supporting women at the helm of SME businesses, the VV GROW Fellowship works with women who are creating jobs, catalyzing economic growth and driving positive social change in their communities.
Through the fellowship, women business owners build their knowledge about business planning, financial management, marketing, networking and leadership. They assess the current state of their business and leadership in order to determine where they are; analyze their business and the external environment to identify opportunities for growth; and define specific business growth goals. To learn more and apply for the 2019 VV GROW Fellowship, click here.
“A leader is not someone who knows everything, but someone who knows which information to get where; Vital Voices is helping to figure this out.” –Khulan Davaadorj, 2018 VV GROW Fellow
Application deadline: August 31, 2018
Global Founding Partner:
ExxonMobil Foundation: The ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. The foundation and the corporation engage in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, with a focus on math and science in the United States, promote women as catalysts for economic development and combat malaria. In 2017, the ExxonMobil Foundation, together with Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliate along with employees and retirees, provided $204 million in contributions worldwide.
Platinum Sponsor:
FedEx: FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $65 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 425,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. To learn more about how FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, please click here.