ROSHEEN NGORIMA

What does your company do?

The Female Founders Initiative Global (FFI Global) is dedicated to empowering and supporting female entrepreneurs worldwide. The initiative focuses on providing resources, mentorship, networking opportunities, and advocacy to help women start, grow, and sustain their businesses. Here are the key activities and services offered by FFI Global: 1. Mentorship and Coaching Mentorship Programs: Connecting female entrepreneurs with experienced mentors who provide guidance, support, and insights to help them navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business. Coaching Sessions: Offering one-on-one and group coaching sessions tailored to address specific business needs and personal development goals. 2. Networking Opportunities Events and Conferences: Organizing regular events, including the annual global awards and anniversary celebration, to provide platforms for networking, learning, and collaboration. Online Community: Maintaining an active online community where members can share experiences, seek advice, and build connections with other female entrepreneurs and industry experts. 3. Access to Funding Investor Connections: Facilitating introductions and meetings between female founders and potential investors, venture capitalists, and financial institutions. Funding Workshops: Conducting workshops and webinars to educate members on fundraising strategies, pitching to investors, and managing finances. 4. Educational Resources Workshops and Webinars: Offering educational workshops and webinars on various topics, such as business planning, marketing, leadership, and technology. Resource Library: Providing access to a comprehensive library of articles, guides, templates, and tools to help members develop their skills and knowledge. 5. Advocacy and Awareness Advocacy Efforts: Working with policymakers, industry leaders, and organizations to advocate for policies and practices that support gender equality in entrepreneurship. Awareness Campaigns: Running campaigns to raise awareness about the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs and the importance of supporting women in business. 6. Recognition and Awards Global Awards: Hosting an annual awards ceremony to recognize and celebrate the achievements of outstanding female entrepreneurs in various categories. Highlighting Success Stories: Showcasing the stories and successes of female founders through various media channels to inspire and motivate others. 7. Partnerships and Collaborations Corporate Partnerships: Partnering with corporations, organizations, and educational institutions to provide additional resources, sponsorships, and opportunities for members. Collaborative Projects: Engaging in collaborative projects with other initiatives and networks to amplify impact and reach. Summary The Female Founders Initiative Global aims to create an inclusive and supportive ecosystem for female entrepreneurs. By offering mentorship, networking opportunities, access to funding, educational resources, and advocacy, FFI Global helps women overcome barriers, achieve their business goals, and contribute to economic growth and innovation. The initiative's comprehensive approach ensures that female entrepreneurs receive the support they need at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey.

What is your biggest success?

The greatest achievement of the Female Founders Initiative Global (FFI Global) is the creation and successful expansion of a global network that empowers female entrepreneurs, drives economic growth, and promotes gender equality in the business world. Here are the key aspects of this achievement: 1. Building a Robust Global Network Member Growth: Successfully growing a diverse and engaged membership base of thousands of female entrepreneurs from different industries and regions worldwide. Community Engagement: Establishing a vibrant online community where members actively participate, share resources, and support each other’s growth.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

Societal and Cultural Barriers Cultural Norms: In some regions, cultural norms and expectations about gender roles can discourage women from pursuing entrepreneurship or fully participating in business activities. Work-Life Balance: Women often face additional challenges in balancing entrepreneurial ambitions with family responsibilities, which can hinder their ability to focus on and grow their businesses. 4. Support Infrastructure Lack of Tailored Resources: The entrepreneurial ecosystem often lacks resources and support systems specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by female entrepreneurs. Mentorship Gaps: Finding mentors and role models who understand the specific experiences and challenges of female entrepreneurs can be difficult. 5. Advocacy and Policy Challenges Slow Policy Changes: Advocacy efforts to promote gender equality in entrepreneurship can be slow to translate into meaningful policy changes and tangible support from governments and institutions. Underrepresentation in Decision-Making: Women are often underrepresented in key decision-making positions within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, limiting their influence on policies and practices that affect them.