CMM PR Launches the Second Edition of The Future is Female Mentorship Program
C. Moore Media International Public Relations (CMM), a New York-headquartered PR agency focusing on the US, UK, and African markets, has announced the second edition of The Future is Female Mentorship Program. The initiative is a complementary Public Relations (PR) and communications mentorship program dedicated exclusively to African female tech founders.
In 2020, right in the middle of the global pandemic, CMM announced the launch of the inaugural edition of The Future is Female Mentorship Program. The agency launched the initiative to give back to the female entrepreneurs and founders in the African tech scene when businesses around the world were reeling from the effects of the pandemic. The program was created to support African female tech founders who often are unsupported in the male-dominated tech world and received incredible feedback from within and outside the African tech ecosystem.
Launched in celebration of Africa Day last year, the inaugural program saw 12 female-led startups, including Movemeback.com, Easy Matatu, RPA nuggets, and others, selected from a pool of just under 140 applications from 18 African countries to take part in the three-month program.
In a recent update that highlights the program's success, after going through the program, one of the mentees – Shamim Kaliisa, founder of Chil AI Lab, was spotted and listed on the inaugural Bloomberg New Economy Catalysts class of 2021. This is a new global community launched by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to highlight the world's brightest innovators who are at the leading edge of technology, solving problems in emerging economies. Other notable African startups on the list include GroIntel, 54 Gene and Farmerline. This is testament to the program's value in terms of what the mentees are learning and executing regarding how to use PR and communications, and the subsequent opportunities that arise as a result.
For the second edition, CMM is expanding the program in 2021 with new partner announcements and increasing the cohort of selected African female founders from 12 to 25.
Mirroring the inaugural edition, The Future is Female Mentorship Program will provide African female tech founders of early-stage startups with the PR and communications insights, knowledge, and skills needed to gain visibility and grow their business. It is aimed at African women based on the continent or in the diaspora and are launching or growing a tech business for African markets or serving Africans in the diaspora.
The program is delivered virtually, and the mentees participate in masterclasses and sessions customized to the specific needs of their sector and business. During the mentorship program, female founders will learn insights into the fundamentals of PR and communications for tech startups, including how to create a communications plan, incorporate storytelling into your business communications with multiple stakeholders, and more.
During the selection process, CMM will give special consideration to startups that focus on health, education, finance, agriculture, and sustainability. In addition, startups that provide solutions and address the needs of African women and girls will also receive special consideration.
The application portal for the second edition of The Future is Female Mentorship program will open at noon (WAT) on Monday, June 7, 2021, and close at 11:59 pm (WAT) on Monday, July 5. Successful female founders will be announced on Monday, July 26.
