The PEI Business Women’s Association (PEIBWA) and the Atlantic Canadian Women in Growth Partnership (ACWGP) in collaboration with the Startup Zone are excited to announce a new one-of-a-kind opportunity for women in early-growth businesses in PEI.

Accelerate HER PEI is a 12-week program to be delivered virtually and in-person from PEIBWA’s Rural Women’s Business Centre in Central Bedeque beginning January 18, 2021. The pilot program will serve high-potential women business owners, no matter their location in PEI.

“This program is unique as it combines customized support for women business owners from both accelerator and mentorship perspectives,” says PEIBWA Executive Director Margaret Magner. “We’re particularly targeting businesses in the early-growth stage, whether it is a business in operation for one to two years or a business operating for several years that is ready to pivot in a new direction. A cohort of selected candidates will participate in group training, goal-setting, meetings with expert advisors, and will be matched with a mentor in their field of interest.”

Majority women-owned, for-profit businesses from any sector currently registered in PEI which have been in continuous operation for at least one year (as of December 2020) are eligible and invited to apply for participation in the pilot program. Preference may be given to underrepresented populations, including but not limited to, indigenous women and women of colour, rural women business owners, women in trades and STEM disciplines, newcomers and women with disabilities.

PEIBWA is hosting an online information session for interested participants on Friday, December 11th from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Pre-registration is required at; https://peibwa.org/event-4072184

The online application form for the program may be accessed through the PEIBWA website at https://peibwa.org/Accelerate-HER-PEI. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 pm on December 18, 2020.