Hatch opens applications for AccelerateHer 2.0

• An accelerator programme for budding female entrepreneurs from across the Island 

​ Hatch, Sri Lanka’s leading startup hub partnered with the US Department of State to implement AccelerateHer, a bespoke accelerator programme for budding female entrepreneurs. Applications are now open for its second cycle.
AccelerateHer is designed to help female founders grow their businesses, upskill, and gain access to funding and networks that will allow them to scale and compete more effectively in the global marketplace. The programme is 100 percent free-of-charge and does not ask for equity in the participant’s business.

Applicants selected to be part of AccelerateHer will get capacity funding of up to Rs.1.5 million, curated workshops focused on strategy, operations, business development, product design, tech, growth, PR, brand, and talent to address the knowledge gap, access to a global network of mentors, investors, and female founder networks, and a strong alumni network and lifetime relationships. 

The programme duration is from April to July 2023, with a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the participants.

According to the Sri Lanka Development Update published by the World Bank in April 2021, women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka face a number of challenges, including limited access to finance, lack of business skills, and social norms that discourage women from starting businesses.