TechnoServe to Collaborate with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Initiative
TechnoServe will assist 10,000 Women with follow-up plans for helping women who participate in entrepreneurship classes.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 — TechnoServe will partner with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative to determine the most effective strategies for providing wrap-around services, or aftercare, to women participating in entrepreneurial training.
TechnoServe and 10,000 Women agree that these services provide a critical bridge between entrepreneurs receiving in-classroom education and realizing growth of their enterprises. Improving aftercare therefore enables entrepreneurs to increase their incomes and offer better lives to their families.
“While both men and women face obstacles to enterprise success, we know women face unique barriers, including social values regarding their credibility as business people, cultural challenges, fewer role models, and weak networks compared to men,” says TechnoServe CEO Bruce McNamer. “We therefore wholeheartedly support 10,000 Women in its aim to provide wrap-around services and to build a community of like-minded women, link them to local support networks and enable experience sharing.”
Having run almost 30 business plan competitions since 2002 to identify high-potential entrepreneurs across the globe, TechnoServe comes to this collaboration having already learned many lessons regarding wrap-around services.
“A world-class education offers more than just classroom instruction,” said Dina Habib Powell, managing director and Global Head of Corporate Engagement at Goldman Sachs. “Working with organizations like TechnoServe, 10,000 Women aims to give women entrepreneurs the mentoring and support the need to grow their businesses and create jobs.”
After identifying the needs, current offerings and best practices, TechnoServe will advise 10,000 Women on effective wrap around services.
About TechnoServe: TechnoServe is leading a movement that empowers people in the developing world to build businesses that break the cycle of poverty. Growing enterprises generate jobs and other income opportunities for poor people, enabling them to improve their lives and secure a better future for their families. Since its founding in 1968, the U.S.-based nonprofit has helped to create or expand thousands of businesses, benefiting millions of people in more than 30 countries. The Financial Times has rated TechnoServe one of the top five NGOs for corporate partnerships. Charity Navigator has also awarded its highest Four Star ranking to TechnoServe.
About 10,000 Women: The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative is a five-year campaign to foster greater shared economic growth by providing 10,000 underserved women around the world with a business and management education. The initiative is coordinated in local markets by a network of more than 60 academic and NGO partners. It is funded by Goldman Sachs and The Goldman Sachs Foundation. For further information on the 10,000 Women program, please visit www.10000women.org
For more information, please contact:
Andrew Eder, Senior Marketing Communications Coordinator, TechnoServe
Tel: +1 (202) 719-1327; Email: aeder@tns.org.
