The Women in Business Grant Competition(WIBGC): Empowering Over 2,000 Women Entrepreneurs Across Nigeria
At The SME Mall, we believe in the power of women entrepreneurs to shape the future of business, and the success of our recently concluded Women in Business Grant Competition (WIBGC) is proof of that vision. Over 2,000 women entrepreneurs from diverse sectors across Nigeria participated in this groundbreaking initiative designed to provide grants for women entrepreneurs and the tools, mentorship, and resources they need to scale their businesses.
From technology startups to agriculture, fashion, healthcare, and education, these inspiring women joined us on a transformative journey, seeking access to free grants for women to start a business and grow their enterprises. This initiative has become more than just a competition; itโs a thriving community that supports and empowers women in business.
A Transformative Journey: Training and Mentorship for Women Entrepreneursโ
The WIBGC kicked off with an impressive response from over 2,000 women entrepreneurs. Our training sessions were designed to equip them with practical skills in financial management, branding & marketing strategies, and investment readinessโall essential for growing a sustainable business.
These interactive sessions focused on real-world applications, helping women-led businesses scale and gain insights that will fuel long-term success. For many participants, the WIBGC provided an opportunity not only to compete for grants for women entrepreneurs but to access life-changing mentorship and support.
Weโre thrilled to see how these women have embraced the opportunity to grow their businesses and impact their communities. Whether they were seeking free grants for women in Nigeria or simply looking for guidance on how to build a stronger business, WIBGC provided the platform they needed to take their next big step.
Celebrating Our Amazing Facilitatorsโ
The success of the WIBGC wouldnโt have been possible without the incredible contributions of our facilitators, who shared their expertise, time, and energy to help shape the future of these women entrepreneurs.
From offering invaluable business advice to one-on-one mentorship, our facilitators were instrumental in ensuring participants received the full benefit of the training sessions. Their support empowered participants to apply for grants for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria with confidence and a clear roadmap for growth.
Joha Ordu, PHRi (COO, Reposebay)
Eizu Uwaoma PMPยฎ , MBA, MSc (Founder, Hexavia)
Stephanie Anyamele ACA (Managing Principal, Charles Ardor & Company)
Jesse I. Atalor (HR Consultant, The Vault Recruitment)
Tolulope Olorundero (Principal Consultant, Mosron Communications)
A big thank you goes out to all our facilitators for making this initiative so impactful. Your efforts made a real difference, and we are grateful for your dedication.
From Semi-Finalists to Grand Finale: A Journey of Growth and Dedicationโ
With over 2,000 women entrepreneurs initially applying for the competition, narrowing down the field was no easy task. After rigorous training and mentorship, 20 semi-finalists were selected to present their business ideas to a panel of esteemed judges. These semi-finalists represented the best of the best and competed for grants for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, bringing innovative ideas to the table.
From this talented group of women, 6 finalists advanced to the Grand Finale, where they competed for the top spots in the competition. Our judges played a pivotal role in evaluating the participants and selecting the winners, providing thoughtful feedback and valuable insights.
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ-๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ๐:
Kelechi Abiri, SHRM-CP, ACIPM, HRPL (Founder & CEO, Reposebay)
Jacqueline Malenga (Business Strategist & Consultant)
Seun Babajide-Duroshola, ACIM, UK (Country Marketing Strategy, Sand Technologies)
๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ๐:
Goodness “Ada” Armstrong (CIPD) (Career Space Africa)
Princess O. Edokpayi (COO, Spurt Group)
Idowu Akinde (Director, Impact Hub)
David Lanre Messan (CEO, First Founder)
We are deeply grateful to our judges for their time and expertise. Their thoughtful evaluations helped shape the future of these women entrepreneurs, ensuring a fair and impactful selection process.
Meet the Winners of WIBGC
At the conclusion of the Grand Finale, we announced our top three winners, each of whom received grants for women to further develop their businesses:
We are thrilled to congratulate our winners:
1st Place: Blessing Aniefiok John, MNIFST – Dynalimb Technologies
2nd Place: Cynthia Ogwanighie – Kiyoko Foods Ltd
3rd Place: Comfort Badmos – Baams Creatives
These extraordinary women stood out for their innovation, dedication, and potential for scalability. Their grants for women entrepreneurs will provide them with the financial resources they need to take their businesses to new heights. We look forward to seeing the impact they will make in their respective industries.
Our Partners: A Pillar of Success for Grants for Women Entrepreneurs
The success of the WIBGC would not have been possible without the generous support of our partners. Nathan Finance provided the essential funding that powered the competition, while The Transition Conference hosted the Grand Finale, offering a dynamic platform for our finalists to showcase their business ideas.
These partnerships have been instrumental in empowering women to access free grants for women in Nigeria and take control of their business journeys. We extend our deepest thanks to our partners for their unwavering support.
Acknowledging The SME Mall Team
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team worked tirelessly to bring the Women in Business Grant Competition to life. Each member of the The SME Mall team contributed to the success of the initiative, from planning to execution.
A special thank you to:
- Muyiwa Femi Pearse โ Founder, The SME Mall: For leading with vision and empowering women entrepreneurs to break barriers.
- Fikayo Babatundeย โ COO, The SME Mall: For overseeing operations and ensuring the competition ran smoothly.
- Oreoluwa Ishola โ Project Manager: For managing logistics and coordinating every detail.
- Adewale Balogun โ Graphics Designer: For creating stunning visuals that helped bring the WIBGC brand to life.
- Bidemi Oyelola โ Digital Marketer: For executing a strong marketing strategy and attracting thousands of applicants.
- Anjola Akinosun โ Product Designer: For ensuring the digital experience was seamless and engaging for all participants.
Your dedication and hard work made WIBGC a resounding success. Weโre excited to continue empowering women entrepreneurs in the future!
Looking Ahead: More Grants for Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria
The Women in Business Grant Competition was just the beginning. As we move forward, The SME Mall remains committed to providing even more grants for women in Nigeria and helping women entrepreneurs scale their businesses. The future is bright for women entrepreneurs, and weโre proud to be part of their journey.
Stay tuned for more opportunities to access free grants for women entrepreneurs and join a community dedicated to growing female-led businesses in Nigeria.
For more information on upcoming grants, training programs, and mentorship opportunities, click on the button below.
About The SME Mall
The SME Mall is a platform dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering resources, mentorship, and grants for women entrepreneurs to help them grow and succeed. Through initiatives like the Women in Business Grant Competition, The SME Mall is empowering women entrepreneurs to make an impact in the business world.
