PEI Business Women's Association

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Accelerate HER PEI

Applications are now closed. Stay tuned for announcements on the next cohort.

If you have questions about the 12-week Accelerate HER PEI program for early-growth phase businesses, do not hesitate to contact us:

PEIBWA Charlottetown office: 902-892-6040 or office@peibwa.org

Rural Women's Business Centre, Central Bedeque: 902-887-3171 or office-RWBC@peibwa.org

Click Here to Read The Accelerate HER Program Description in French

Are you wanting to grow your business to the next level, but need structured support and guidance in specific areas to make that happen?
Are you a woman entrepreneur/business owner who could benefit from the support and guidance provided by a trusted Mentor?
Are you a business owner who could benefit from engagement with other women entrepreneurs and expert advisors to make connections to further develop your business?

Accelerate HER PEI is a 12-week program led by PEIBWA and delivered from PEIBWA’s Rural Women’s Business Centre both in-person and virtually. This program will serve high-potential women business owners operating in PEI. Currently funded for 2022 via the Atlantic Canadian Women in Growth Partnership. There is no cost for individuals selected for the cohort to participate in the program.

Participants will benefit from free access to business support services customized to meet their individual needs. This includes weekly group meetings, one-on-one mentorship, peer support, and a pool of expertise with a variety of businesses and industry leaders.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This 12-week program involves both accelerator programming and one-on-one mentorship support to learn how to grow your business. Targeted for businesses in the early growth stage of development, and businesses who may find themselves taking a new direction.

Participants will be matched with a mentor in their field (or in a related field where they require additional resources) for individual support throughout. Programming will be delivered both in-person at the Rural Women’s Business Centre in Central Bedeque, PEI and online.

ELIGIBILITY

All women-owned, for-profit businesses (defined as being at least 51% owned by a woman or women), in any sector currently registered in Prince Edward Island that have been in continuous operation for at least one year are invited to apply.

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.

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES & COMPONENTS

Dedicated workspace for the cohort on-site at the Rural Women’s Business Centre in Central Bedeque
Two hours per week of group learning (in-person/virtual), based at the Rural Women’s Business Centre
Peer support and networking with other women business owners
Weekly goal-setting and follow-up with preparatory resources
Pool of expert presenters to speak on a variety of business topics based on an intake assessment of participants
One-on-One matchmaking with an experienced business owner/entrepreneur mentor
Bi-weekly meetings with an assigned mentor
Access to business advisory support, program resources and materials
The Accelerate HER PEI program will run for 12 consecutive weeks, beginning with a two-hour orientation session on to be scheduled. Please review the time commitment schedule to ensure that you have the time to commit to this program.
(1 hr) Interview selection session
12 (2 hr) Weekly accelerator meetings in-person or virtual to include orientation, goal setting, expert presentations, peer support, and networking with cohort
(3 hr) Supplementary 1-1 advisory with experts
(1 hr) Bi-weekly one-on-one mentorship meetings with mentor (in person or virtual)
(2 hr) Follow-up and program evaluation/feedback

The total dedicated time commitment per participant for group and one-on-one activities/meetings will be approximately 36 hours for this 12-week program.

Additional information about the Accelerate HER PEI program: CLICK HERE

DESIGNATED INCUBATOR SPACE EXCLUSIVELY FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS!

Workspace is now available at the Rural Women’s Business Centre exclusively for past and present Accelerate HER PEI and Activate HER PEI program participants. Access by drop-in from Mon-Fri, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Flexible after-hours access is available upon request. This space includes comfortable desks, highspeed internet access, private offices, a kitchen, and area for networking with other program participants.