Overview
The
Teach4Her Incubator is a flagship women-centered entrepreneurship and
innovation program under the Entrepreneurship & Empowerment Program of
Future Bridge Tech Foundation (FBTF).
It is
designed to empower women and young female educators, innovators and
entrepreneurs with the skills, mentorship and resources needed to start,
manage and scale sustainable businesses or social ventures.
The project recognizes that many women possess creative and impactful ideas but lack access
to structured entrepreneurial training, professional networks and financial
support. Teach4Her Incubator provides a safe, inclusive and growth-oriented
environment where women can transform their passions into viable ventures particularly those that promote education, technology and community
development.
This project directly aligns with FBTF’s vision of bridging gaps and building
bridges by helping women become economic leaders, innovators and changemakers
within their communities. Through this project, FBTF strengthens women’s
participation in the innovation ecosystem and supports national and global
efforts toward inclusive and sustainable development.
Objectives
1. To build
the entrepreneurial, digital and leadership capacity of women and young female
educators.
2. To
promote gender inclusion in entrepreneurship, innovation and digital
transformation.
3. To
provide practical business training focused on strategy, management, and
sustainability.
4. To mentor
participants to transform innovative ideas into viable and impactful ventures.
5. To
strengthen the visibility and resilience of women-led enterprises and social
initiatives.
6. To
contribute to gender equality, poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth
in local communities.
Structure / Components
The
Teach4Her Incubator operates through a structured multi-phase model designed to
ensure holistic capacity development and measurable outcomes:
1. Recruitment and Onboarding:
Selection of
participants through open applications and community recommendations, ensuring
diversity and inclusiveness.
2. Capacity Building Workshops:
Training
sessions covering entrepreneurship fundamentals, leadership, business planning,
financial literacy, digital marketing and social innovation.
3. Mentorship and Coaching:
Each
participant is paired with an experienced mentor, an entrepreneur, educator,
or industry expert for one-on-one guidance and coaching.
4. Business Plan Development:
Participants
work closely with mentors to refine their ideas, develop strategic business
models, and identify potential markets or partners.
5. Pitch and Demo Sessions:
Participants
present their business ideas to a panel of judges comprising investors,
partners and experts for evaluation, exposure, and potential support.
6. Seed Support and Networking:
Selected
participants receive seed support, startup toolkits and opportunities to
connect with investors, donors, and partner institutions.
7. Post-Incubation Support:
Continuous
mentorship, alumni engagement, peer networking, and monitoring of business
progress to ensure long-term sustainability and impact.
Management by Volunteers
The program
is coordinated by a dedicated team of volunteer trainers, mentors and
facilitators drawn from the fields of business development, education and
technology.
Volunteers
play critical roles in training delivery, mentorship coordination,
communications, event logistics and data collection for monitoring and
evaluation.
A Volunteer
Program Manager oversees the incubation process, ensuring participants receive
personalized guidance and that program activities meet FBTF’s standards of
transparency, inclusivity and excellence.
In addition,
successful alumni from previous cohorts often serve as peer mentors, sharing
their experiences and supporting new participants festering a self-sustaining
ecosystem of women helping women.
Eligibility Criteria
The
Teach4Her Incubator targets:
Women aged
18–45 years with innovative business ideas or existing small enterprises.
Female
educators, youth leaders, and social innovators passionate about
entrepreneurship and community development.
Residents of
Ghana or partner African countries who can commit to active participation
(either in-person or virtually).
Applicants should demonstrate:
·
A clear and realistic vision for their business or
initiative.
·
Willingness to learn, collaborate and apply new
knowledge.
·
Basic literacy in digital tools or readiness to
acquire such skills.
Preference
is given to:
ü Women from
underserved or rural communities.
ü Applicants
actively following or engaging with FBTF’s digital platforms.
ü Women involved
in education, technology, or community development initiatives.
Selection Process
1. Application Submission:
Interested
applicants complete an online or physical application form detailing their
background, idea, and motivation.
2. Screening:
Applications
are reviewed for innovation, feasibility, and potential for social and economic
impact.
3. Interview/Shortlisting:
Shortlisted
applicants are interviewed virtually or in person to assess readiness and
commitment.
4. Final Selection:
Successful
candidates are officially enrolled into the incubator cohort and assigned
mentors.
5. Orientation:
Participants
receive orientation on program expectations, code of conduct and available
support resources.
Benefits to Participants
·
Access to intensive training in entrepreneurship,
leadership and digital innovation.
·
Personalized mentorship and business coaching from
experienced professionals.
·
Opportunity to develop, refine, and pitch innovative
business ideas.
·
Access to startup resources, seed grants, or investor
linkages.
·
Networking with other women entrepreneurs, mentors and industry experts.
·
Exposure and visibility through FBTF’s digital and
partner platforms.
·
Certification upon successful completion of the
program.
·
Post-program alumni support, business advisory and
partnership opportunities.
Partnerships
Teach4Her
Incubator collaborates with:
Women-focused
organizations and networks to promote inclusivity and outreach.
Universities
and business schools to deliver training and mentorship content.
Corporate
partners and investors for funding and technical support.
Government
agencies and development partners supporting gender equality and
entrepreneurship.
Technology
partners providing digital tools, e-learning platforms and branding support.
FBTF
continues to expand partnerships that enhance the program’s sustainability and
extend its impact across Ghana and beyond.
Expected Impact
·
Increased participation and leadership of women in
entrepreneurship and innovation.
·
Creation of sustainable, women-led enterprises
generating jobs and community solutions.
·
Strengthened gender equality and digital inclusion.
·
Empowered women contributing to national and global
development goals.
·
A growing network of women changemakers driving
innovation, mentorship and collaboration.
The
Teach4Her Incubator contributes directly to:
SDG 5 –
Gender Equality, SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 9 – Industry,
Innovation, and Infrastructure.