Academy
for Women Entrepreneurs
Grow your business!
AWE supports Ukrainian women entrepreneurs
Online Bootcamp
Two intensive days of training, exercises on personal development and entrepreneurship, lots of networking and a final pitch.
Online Learning Platform
Learn with Dreambuilder, an entrepreneurial training program that helps you build a Business Plan.
Mentoring
Improve your skill set with support from mentors, inspirational talks and techniques to help you succeed.
Demo day
Pitch to a panel of judges and use this opportunity to receive feedback.
Final Event
Get to know your fellow participants and the diplomatic mission of the United States in Portugal at an in-person event.
Alumni Network
Once you’ve completed the program stay connected with other women entrepreneurs through the worldwide Alumni network provided by the U.S. Embassy in Portugal.
AWE 2023
After two successful editions, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is back in 2023.
AWE is a program that promotes female entrepreneurship by giving applicants the knowledge, tools and networks that are essential to create and grow their businesses.
AWE aims to give women worldwide the chance to improve their entrepreneurial skills and build their business model through an online learning program, and in English. Since its launch 25,000 women have participated in the program in over 100 countries.
AWE enables women to develop their entrepreneurial ideas through a hybrid model that combines access to the online platform DreamBuilder, developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management, and group sessions, inspirational and technical talks, as well as mentoring up to Demo Day.
In Portugal the program has had 76 finalists, since 2021, who have seen their business plans turn into reality. Six winning projects have received seed funding, two projects have led to internships in the US and four have received honorable mentions.
This year’s mission is to support Ukrainian women that wish to start their business in Portugal after being displaced to Portugal.
Portugal is part of the global network of AWE through the United States Embassy in Portugal. Drive Impact is responsible for the implementation of the program.
Timeline
AWE 2023
After two successful editions, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is back in 2023.
AWE is a program that promotes female entrepreneurship by giving applicants the knowledge, tools and networks that are essential to create and grow their businesses.
AWE aims to give women worldwide the chance to improve their entrepreneurial skills and build their business model through an online learning program, and in English. Since its launch 25,000 women have participated in the program in over 100 countries.
AWE enables women to develop their entrepreneurial ideas through a hybrid model that combines access to the online platform DreamBuilder, developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management, and group sessions, inspirational and technical talks, as well as mentoring up to Demo Day.
In Portugal the program has had 76 finalists, since 2021, who have seen their business plans turn into reality. Six winning projects have received seed funding, two projects have led to internships in the US and four have received honorable mentions.
This year’s mission is to support Ukrainian women that wish to start their business in Portugal after being displaced to Portugal.
Portugal is part of the global network of AWE through the United States Embassy in Portugal. Drive Impact is responsible for the implementation of the program.
Timeline
Applicants
AWE is for women who:
_ Have Portuguese citizenship and/or permanent residency in Portugal, or are Ukrainian citizens residing in Portugal;
_ Have started a business but need help to grow;
_Want to develop their project in Portugal;
_ Have a good understanding of English (written and spoken);
_ Have availability and motivation to commit to the program and complete all required coursework (15 hours per week).
How it’s been up to now…
- 600 Applications
- 76 Finalists
- $54 000 In Seed Funding
- 600 Applications
- 76 Finalists
- $54 000 In Seed Funding
Testimonies
2022
“The AWE program has a very complete structure that covers a wide range of areas needed to leverage a project. More than providing tools that are essential to build businesses, these are tools for living life.”
Margarida Partidário
Arboreall
“I’ll become a mother in a few months and the AWE has helped me organise everything that is needed for my project to develop while I’m away. With the support from my team and the AWE team, El Warcha has all the tools to be sustainable.”
Inês Marques
El Warcha
“An intense and unique opportunity that I wish for all women entrepreneurs. Technical courses, practical exercises, mentoring, sharing of life and work experiences, emotional support. It’s a magical network that I’d like to always have around me.”
Mariana Soares
Dólitá
“It’s been an absolute game changer, in terms of learning and putting the knowledge into practice. It’s been a huge plus and this has been reflected in my day to day life in an extraordinary way.”
Maria do Carmo Espírito Santo
Slow Soaps
“This program has given me the tools to make me a happy and successful entrepreneur. I truly feel empowered thanks to AWE!”
Célia Macedo
Célia Macedo Ceramics
2021
“It’s been a very positive learning experience because of the knowledge exchange, the networking, the tools, the inspirational talks and because it “makes” me stop to think about my business which is not always easy.”
Sílvia Correia
re.store
“It’s been a very gratifying experience, I’ve learnt a lot and it’s been challenging. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is that it makes us stop to review our ideas and consequently find ways to improve and succeed!”
Cíntia Dos Reis
Afrikaknows
“I’m very grateful for being a part of this community where so much important information is shared to build a quality business that has more chances of succeeding. Thanks for everything!”
Daniela Rodriguez
Forest Homes
“It was such a great opportunity to get to know the entrepreneurial capacity of Portuguese women. What was perhaps the most useful and what allowed me to grow the most as an entrepreneur and as a person was sharing experiences. The network that was built was incredible, I started working with one of the businesses and have now collaborated with lots of other ones!”
Marta Cardoso
Clementine
“The AWE was my formal entry into the business world. My ideas were heard, appreciated and supported by a community of women that welcomed me from the first minute.”
Helena Baldé
Boldndigital
Winners
Supported projects
Uma Causa Por Dia
Social
Uma Causa Por Dia is a non-profit project that seeks to communicate the work of social, animal and environmental organizations that are in the field, presenting them to the public through art, while raising awareness of the causes addressed.
United to Remake
Sustainability
Project aimed at the waste management market. We provide consultancy and develop 2 lines of business: the creation of a portfolio of collection, reverse logistics, and upcycling; the promotion of upcycling products to partners – B2C and B2B.
Yasmine
Craftsmanship
Nature-inspired, handprinted natural fibers from Portuguese dead stock. Yasmine beautifully nurtures your home – house and body – with limited editions of unique handmade items in a regenerative way, transforming waste into positive impact products.
Raquel Sobral
Dog Summit
Education
Dog Summit is a project that aims to provide training for dog owners and trainers. In a society where animals are increasingly in Portuguese homes, this project helps dog lovers to solve behavioral problems.
Kapable
Fashion Design
Kapable is a sustainable fashion brand for those who want to save the world! Each piece is named after a superpower to remind the wearer that they really can make a difference and change the world.
Arboreall
Technology
Arboreall is an HR tech-based startup bridging the gap between professionals talent and companies’ talent needs.
The Happy Gang
Education
The Happy Gang’s mission is to reconnect the “Gang” by developing products, with the best specialists, that promote dialogue, and develop individual and social skills while creating stronger bonds and unforgettable moments!
SportBin
Sustainability
SportBin is a platform that aims to eliminate the waste of sports equipment at the end-of-life phase, connecting the supply and demand of these valuable resources for productive purposes, and promoting circular solutions for sports brands.
Célia Macedo Ceramics
Craftsmanship
Célia Macedo Ceramics reconciles tradition and modernity in a single gesture, using traditional techniques and methods, adapted to contemporary uses.
Power Up
Education
It enhances or creates synergies between schools and companies, facilitating the development of Powerskills in students and thus increasing their level of employability as well as the opportunity to Powerskill the employees of the partnering companies.
El Warcha
Social
A non-profit cultural association that secures the empowerment of the most vulnerable socio-economic groups through community and creative workshops, acting as a community boosting agent, through collaborative work.
Ethical Legend
Fashion Design
Sustainable brand ethically made in Portugal. Multi-purpose recycled satin scarves for men and women adaptable to all environments and bodies. The fabrics come from wasted plastic (plastic bottles) that were in the oceans and also from deadstock.
IOLO
Social
IOLO is a social business focused on valuing the Arraiolos embroidery technique through design and social inclusion of the senior population. We create fun and current products made by the senior population in vulnerable situations.
Slow Soaps
Health and Wellbeing
Slow Soaps was born from the alliance of well-being, sustainability and beauty. Soaps, hair products and home products (aromatic candles) are the stars of the company, we use natural ingredients and sustainable packaging.
Petals Pod
Product Design
Injected coffee capsule made from biomaterial, that is biodegradable and compostable, certified by “OK COMPOST HOME” an accredited entity. We have developed 2 new products with this concept and support our customers in creating their own products.
The Good Store
Technology
The Good Store is a web-based e-commerce platform that offers retail SMEs a tailor-made online sales channel with all the necessary tools to improve their results and take better care of their clients.
J-ANT
Fashion Design
J-ANT. is a slow-fashion brand distinguished by its exclusive handmade pieces that promote zero-waste and the preservation of traditional techniques through the creation of distinctive and highly sustainable fabrics.
Epic Hummus
Food
Healthy, organic and preservative-free hummus. We use ingredients from certified local producers to reduce carbon footprint and encourage a healthy lifestyle with our authentic hummus.
Nevoa Pro
Fashion Design
Nevoa Pro design, produces and distributes uniform footwear (footwear for professionals) for the HORECA and service areas. It wishes to contribute to the protection and well-being of these professionals with the premium quality of Made in Portugal footwear.
Circular Closets
Circular Fashion
CIRCULAR CLOSETS exists to revolutionize the perception of circular fashion, extending the life cycle of the textile industry to the maximum. We connect women through premium curation of their wardrobes, in a marketplace, events and shops.
Dólitá
Education
DÓLITÁ is a bimonthly educational magazine for Portuguese children aged 3 to 6 years old. We aim to make learning a fun routine and help parents and schools to have unique, diverse and high-quality educational content.
Sense Tree
Craftsmanship
My project is handmade stationery made with Guinea Bissau loom cloths and African fabrics to encourage (manual) writing and create bridges between identities while preserving memory.
Aisha Ferreira
Bee's Knees
Food
Bee’s Knees is 100% plant-based and sustainable. Bee’s Knees kitchen focuses on producing 100% plant-based, naturally fermented cheeses. Made for everyone: to the curious ones, to those with a refined palate, to those who need them, and those who prefer it.
AMA Aldeia da Parentalidade
Health and Wellbeing
Bee’s Knees is 100% plant-based and sustainable. Bee’s Knees kitchen focuses on producing 100% plant-based, naturally fermented cheeses. Made for everyone: to the curious ones, to those with a refined palate, to those who need them, and those who prefer it.
Carla Rodrigues
Redo
Health and Wellbeing
Redo is a rehabilitation support kit that helps stroke survivors, in their domestic context, with a continuum and personalized rehabilitation treatment while being a financially accessible solution.
Satya Moments
Health and Wellbeing
Redo is a rehabilitation support kit that helps stroke survivors, in their domestic context, with a continuum and personalized rehabilitation treatment while being a financially accessible solution.
Ventura Care
Health and Wellbeing
Network of Physiotherapists provides at-home services and also operates with a network of other structures. Having the mission to facilitate and promote access to health services.
Casa Koya
Health and Wellbeing
We are a passionate bamboo bicycle brand on a mission to inspire epic travels & unique experiences. We love the idea of using bamboo to promote sustainable mobility and inspire people to live a green, low-carbon and clean-energy life.
Bam•bu Bicycles
Mobility
We are a passionate bamboo bicycle brand on a mission to inspire epic travels & unique experiences. We love the idea of using bamboo to promote sustainable mobility and inspire people to live a green, low-carbon and clean-energy life.
auprès
Fashion Design
The auprès is a slow-fashion footwear brand made in Portugal, created with the intention of offering timeless shoes, guided by a more conscious, sustainable and ethical vision of fashion.
Made in Serra da Estrela
Craftsmanship
To safeguard local traditions our shop was created to bring together exclusively small local producers, helping them to sell their products and better conquer the markets! We also donate 10% of our sales to agricultural promotion and forest protection.
Inês Fernandes
Haja Criatividade!
Communication
Haja is a design, communication, and digital marketing agency. Digitally focused, we generate traffic to websites and convert followers into customers!
Denovu
Construction
Renovation of old houses for investment, with the aim of recovering the built heritage and preserving green areas.
Recycle Lab
Product Design
We give a new life to plastic, help the planet and create new useful design objects.
Béhen
Fashion Design
BÉHEN collaborates with small communities of Portuguese and foreign artisans to give a second life to old fashioned fabrics.
R-Coat
Fashion Design
With some creativity, garbage doesn’t exist; anything can gain a new life and stay out of landfills. With elegance and style we transform broken umbrellas into clothes and accessories.
Rizoma
Food
Community grocers in Lisbon. Responsible products at fair prices from and for the community.
Pais Agency
Photography
Photography agency focused on carbon neutral photography sessions with social impact.
C.Greener
Communication
Communication agency specialized in sustainability. Communication supporting sustainability.
re.store
Social
Environment and People Friendly, based on Circular Economy principles – REcycle, REuse, REduce – and social responsibility.
Herbes Folles
Health and Wellbeing
Herbes Folles is a unique brand of skin products made from weeds, that was created to celebrate their poetry and potency.
Afrika Knows
Education
Education, training and personal development. Make knowledge your greatest power!
Tri at Portugal
Turism
Tri in Portugal was created by triathletes for triathletes with the intent of offering a family vacation that is adapted to their sports lifestyle.
Ursinho verde
Health and Wellbeing
Ursinho Verde is a store specializing in ecological, low environmental impact products for children from zero to two years old.
Digit_Ale
Communication
A set of initiatives and programs aimed at promoting competitiveness and business growth in the Alentejo.
Forest Homes
Interior Design
Natural experiences for the interior space with decoration and objects that help improve well-being in everyday life.
Muka
Food
Vegan cheese alternatives made from nuts, using artisanal and ancestral production methods.
Clementine
Health and Wellbeing
Subscription service that sells ecological and 100% chemical free products, available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and delivered to our clients doorstep every menstrual cycle.
Team
Being part of AWE also means connecting and being supported by the network of trainers and mentors that implemented it in these 3 editions, which are experienced entrepreneurs.
The two names essential for making it happen are Catarina Miguel Martins and Margarida Justo Ribeiro; and a network of more than 20 trainers and mentors, in particular Monica Paolizzi, Liliana Dias, including AWE alumnae Marta Cardoso, Mónica Eleutério, Silvia Correia, Joana Duarte and Maria João Baeta.
How to get started?
Please read the admission requirements carefully and the “Applicants” section to confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria for the program. If you are eligible, please apply here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The applicants may be individual entrepreneurs or may form part of a team. The team does not need to be all female. However, only one female applicant is allowed per project.
Yes. The AWE accepts projects that started at least 2 years ago, as well as businesses that need to grow and/or change.
Yes. The AWE accepts applicants that have no previous entrepreneurial experience or experience in the field they would like to start a business. Motivation, dedication and the willingness to learn from the experience of others are more important.
The AWE is looking for women entrepreneurs who are able to commit at least 15 hours per week to participate in this immersive program to build a successful business. Commitment is needed for learning, doing exercises and for the implementation during the accelerator and not just during the time that will be spent in training.
The training and mentoring will be delivered online.
No. The AWE is an online program. All elements have been developed for online learning, therefore the applicant doesn’t need to be in Lisbon. The aim of the program is for it to be inclusive and to reach all areas of the country. One or more in-person events will take place for networking.
Seed funding will be awarded to the winners of the AWE 2023 edition based on the results of the Demo Day.
Yes. The AWE will help you examine if your idea is viable through your fieldwork market research, by exploring consumer response to your new product/service and also by preparing your financial plan.
Yes. Working or studying at the same time is possible, however the more time and dedication you commit to the project the more likely you are to succeed.
The main driver for your business idea doesn’t need to be a positive social or environmental impact, however, ideas with this goal will benefit during the selection and acceptance process.
Yes, as long as all other eligibility criteria are met. In 2023 the AWE will include Ukrainian women that would like to implement their business in Portugal. The project will be implemented in English.
No. You will work with the DreamBuilder platform in English, which will be a working tool. All sessions will also be in English.
No. To participate you will need access to the internet, as well as your own device with a webcam to allow for interaction.
The program is aimed at Portuguese women and/or permanent residents in Portugal that would like to develop a project in Portugal.
Additional information can be requested through the following address [email protected]
