Academy
for Women Entrepreneurs
Grow your business!
We also support Ukrainian women entrepreneurs!
Bootcamp Online
Two intensive days of training, exercises on personal development and entrepreneurship, 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 win funding for your project.
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 2024
After three successful editions, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is back for its 4th edition.
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 98 finalists, since 2021, who have seen their business plans turn into reality. Ten winning projects have received seed funding and four have received honorable mentions.
This year’s edition continues the mission of supporting Ukrainian women who wish to start their own businesses in Portugal after being relocated.
Portugal is part of the global network of AWE through the United States Embassy in Portugal and Drive Impact Crl. is responsible for the implementation of the program.
Timeline
AWE 2024
After three successful editions, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is back for its 4th edition.
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 98 finalists, since 2021, who have seen their business plans turn into reality. Ten winning projects have received seed funding and four have received honorable mentions.
This year’s edition continues the mission of supporting Ukrainian women who wish to start their own businesses in Portugal after being relocated.
Portugal is part of the global network of AWE through the United States Embassy in Portugal and Drive Impact Crl. is responsible for the implementation of the program.
Timeline
Applicants
AWE is for women who:
- Have Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency in Portugal, or are Ukrainian citizens residing in Portugal;
- Have started a business but need help growing it;
- 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).
Applicants
AWE is for women who:
- Have Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency in Portugal, or are Ukrainian citizens residing in Portugal;
- Have started a business but need help growing it;
- 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…
- 773 Applications
- 98 Women Supported
- 10 Financed projects
- 773 Applications
- 98 Women Supported
- 10 Financed projects
Testimonies
“AWE has been an outstanding and enriching experience that has provided me with essential knowledge and the necessary support to pursue my entrepreneurial endeavors. With resources like networking opportunities and expert guidance, AWE is a valuable program for women seeking to transform their visions into successful businesses.”
Solomiya Lototska
Ukrainian Art Gallery
“I really enjoyed the program and am forever grateful for the tools and resources I gained, the knowledge I also gained, the relationships I made, and the community that we created. I think it’s really a great program and much more hands-on than others I’ve done that were different.”
Francisca Bos
Blumen Flores
“Thanks to the women’s entrepreneurship program I acquired new skills, insights of successful planning, developing and managing my business and enjoyed a dynamic inspiring business women environment. It was a valuable learning experience where everyone is a winner.”
Maryna Cherevyshnia
Vish
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
Supported projects
Cordão
Community
CORDÃO is a digital community that started from a community journal about the process of having or not having children. Now, present on multiple platforms and with a solid in-person community, CORDÃO wants to open his own space.
A20
Food
A20 is a specialty coffee shop that sells high quality drinks, fresh pasties, different sandwiches and good mood. A20 opened last April in the center of Lisbon.
Maryna Hanol
OviScience
Education
OviScience creates scientific-pedagogical, educational, playful and formative digital programs and products with science in everyday life, for children aged 3 to 12. OviScience develops scientific minds, increasing the scientific and technological knowledge.
The Salty Circle
Fashion Design
The Salty Circle produces recycled swimwear shorts and organic cotton apparel for all ocean lovers and conscious consumers. Ethical and sustainable clothes made to fight plastic pollution full circle: from the Ocean, to the Ocean.
Jewel Kat
Design de Moda
Jewel Kat is a botanical jewelry brand where the pieces are tiny portals into nature filled with real flowers inside. Serving a global community seeking magic and inspiration in daily adornments.
Team
Being part of AWE also means connecting and being supported by the network of trainers and mentors that implemented the past of 3 editions of the AWE program, who are experienced entrepreneurs.
The two names essential for making it happen are Catarina Miguel Martins and Margarida Justo Ribeiro; along with a network of more than 20 trainers and mentors, in particular Monica Paolizzi, Liliana Dias, including AWE alumnae Marta Cardoso, Mónica Eleutério, Teresa Ferreira, 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. AWE accepts projects that started at least 2 years ago, as well as businesses that need to grow and/or change.
Yes. AWE accepts applicants with 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.
AWE is looking for women entrepreneurs who can 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 conducted 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 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 your project during the program 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 this edition, AWE will include Ukrainian women who 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.
No. 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].
