Accelerating Women-Led SMEs: Lessons from WE3A

Most models and practices adopted by accelerators respond to an entrepreneurial ecosystem’s need to propel startup growth. However, accelerators can also support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.

The WE3A Accelerator, an initiative of the Inter-American Development Bank and IDB Lab, with key financial support from the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative and accelerator components designed by the A. Masrin Center at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, is one example. The accelerator fosters innovation, sales growth, and job creation in older companies established and led by women entrepreneurs.

Join us to hear how the WE3A Accelerator has impacted over 140 women-owned businesses in six Latin American countries with impressive results. Dr. Eva Vazquez, the accelerator's architect, will share program results and the research that provided its foundation.