Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Cyprus kicks off second year with 50 new participants

Fifty women entrepreneurs, alongside speakers, alumni, and local stakeholders, celebrated the opening of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 2024 on 13 September, for the programme’s second year in Cyprus.

The programme - implemented in Cyprus by CyprusInno (powered by SocialTech Lab) with the support of the US Embassy in Nicosia and this year, Chevron - offers 50 aspiring and established women entrepreneurs a unique, no-cost opportunity to launch or scale their business ventures.

This year’s programme received over 120 applications from across the island, with business ideas ranging from education, technology, and arts and media, to wellness, e-commerce, and sustainable social practices.

Upon graduation from the Academy, participants will join a global network of AWE alumni, fostering ongoing connections and collaborations worldwide.

The US Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Davis Fisher, and Chevron Cyprus' Finance Manager, Melina Demetriou, opened the event at The Base by CyprusInno in the Nicosia Buffer Zone. The opening remarks were followed by a Q&A session and a panel discussion with successful women entrepreneurs running businesses in Cyprus, including alumnae from the 2023 AWE cohort.

The evening concluded with a networking reception, offering participants the chance to connect and exchange ideas.

“Everywhere we operate, we follow the Chevron Way,” said Melina Demetriou. “This includes the development of local talent and championing diversity, inclusion, and equality. I speak for all my colleagues at Chevron, female and male, in saying that the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs embodies the Chevron Way. We are committed to Cyprus.”

Over the next few months, AWE Cyprus will immerse selected participants in a blend of in-person workshops, virtual training modules, study visits and firsthand insights and direct mentorship from successful Cypriot women entrepreneurs. This holistic approach aims to nurture entrepreneurial talent, foster innovation, and promote sustainable business growth across Cyprus.

Stay updated on the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) by visiting awe.cyprusinno.com and following CyprusInno's social media channels: @cyprusinno and @socialtechlab.