Twenty-five (25) African female-founded tech startups have been selected for the third edition of The Future is Female Mentorship Program, a PR and communications mentorship program dedicated exclusively to African female tech founders. C. Moore Media, International Public Relations (CMM), a New York-headquartered PR agency focusing on the US, UK, and African markets, launched the inaugural edition of the Program on Africa Day in 2020. The Program is the first and only PR and Communications mentorship program dedicated exclusively to African female tech founders.
When businesses worldwide were reeling from the effects of the global pandemic, CMM wanted to help the least supported group, early-stage startups led by African female tech founders. In this third edition, the program received 343 applications from 36 different African countries translating to a 91% increase, compared to the applications received in the 2021 edition.
In 2021, the Program gained the attention of leading international business magazine Forbes, which exclusively announced the 25 finalists of the second edition, immediately giving these African female tech founders visibility with international business audiences.
The 2022 Finalists
During the selection process, CMM gave special consideration to startups focusing on health, education, finance, agriculture, and sustainability. Startups that provide solutions and/or address African women’s and girls’ needs also received special consideration. The 25 selected finalists for 2022 will become mentees of the Program, making up the #Classof2022.
Below are the 2022 African female tech founders selected from across the Continent.
2022 Mentees
Nigeria
- Folake Soetan Owodunni, Emergency Response Africa
- Linda Ekweogu, Agrolinka
- Vanessa Christian, Propslot
- Jennifer Esiaba, 8mg Health
- Fatoye Omowunm, I-Healthify
- Chikere Onyinyechi, Clozetsales
- Precious Eniayekan, Propfunds
Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe
- Wambui Karingith, Chiza Health (Kenya)
- Radhika Bhachu, Ndovu (Kenya)
- Linet Kinyua, Pensoft System Limited (Kenya)
- Mercy Angela Nantongo, Simbi Mall (Uganda)
- Tugume Agnes Brenda, Esoptron Salon (Uganda)
- Melissa Gondai, Jotter, (Zimbabwe)
Lesotho, Zambia, Burkina Faso, and Liberia
- Setsoto Hlohlomi, BasaliTech (Lesotho)
- Tlaleng Mokoma, Mphalane (Lesotho)
- Susan Mwandila, Larn Innovation Hub (Zambia)
- Amandra Musuumba, Edge Express (Zambia)
- Retiana Phiri, Invenker Technologies, (Zambia)
- Birba Delwende, AI-King Group, (Burkina Faso)
- Massa Weeks, Girl in Tech Liberia (Liberia)
Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana, Malawi, and Cameroon
- Gloria Tshiashi, PreventPain (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Vanessa Buhendwa, Malisho (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Rethabile Konopo, Legaltech Botswana Academy (Botswana)
- Kalitsiro Mwale, TechPearl (Malawi)
- Monica Mesame Ewang, Ekose-Rx (Cameroon)
Program Details
The Future is Female Mentorship Program is the first and only PR and communications mentorship program dedicated exclusively to African female tech founders. The Program is complementary to ensure no barriers to entry.
Once the 25 finalists have completed the Future is Female Mentorship program; they will own insights into the fundamentals of PR and communications for early-stage tech startups; they will also learn how to create a communications plan, storytelling best practices, strategic business communications with multiple stakeholders, how to position their startups for investment opportunities and more. The program will also provide mentees with insights customized for the unique needs of their business and sector.
For the third edition, CMM again partnered with TechCabal, a leading Pan-Africa tech publication chronicling innovation and technology developments across Africa, and Africa Communications Week (AfricaCommsWeek), a global platform that builds bridges between communications professionals focused on Africa’s transformation. The program is now powered by Allison+Partners, one of the international PR industry’s fastest-growing and innovative global agencies.
The partnerships enable the Program to provide additional perspectives, tools, and insights for the selected female founders and also brings world-class and Pan-African PR insights from additional leading experts, complementing CMM’s global and African regional PR expertise.
As part of the partnership, selected TechCabal team members will lead two masterclasses providing the 25 finalists with insights on working with tech media, understanding how to position their startups to gain the attention of the tech press, and the importance of partnerships and growth strategies.
The partnership with AfricaCommsWeek will give the founders expanded Pan-African and multi-market PR expertise, a key component for many female founders whose startups cover multiple African countries.
Mentorship Session Details
CMM’s MD & Founder, Claudine Moore and CMM team members David Idagu and Tope Adubi, alongside selected TechCabal team members and AfricaCommsWeek’s founders, will lead group virtual masterclass sessions for the selected mentees and participate in Q and A sessions. These masterclasses will then be followed by three-months of mentorship sessions customized to the specific business needs of the mentees.
The customized sessions will provide insights into PR and communications fundamentals for early-stage tech startups, including creating a communications plan, corporate storytelling, media relations, digital marketing, and more.
For more information on the finalists and details of the Program, visit www.thefutureisfemalementorshipprogram.com or follow @CMooreMedia on social media
