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New collaboration is designed to support growth-oriented women business owners
Toronto, March 8, 2024—WEConnect International announced a collaboration with Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) to promote and support successful growth-oriented women-owned businesses. Both organizations will join forces on a regional Mentorship Program to be piloted in Canada in 2024.
WEConnect International helps drive money into the hands of women business owners by enabling them to compete in the global marketplace. WEConnect International actively breaks down the barriers that hinder women entrepreneurs from connecting with each other and accessing new market opportunities– both locally and globally. Though this collaboration with EO, WEConnect International aims to strengthen and expand the networks of women-owned businesses.
EO, with a history dating back to 1987, has been instrumental in helping entrepreneurs achieve transformational growth by advancing their learning, honing their leadership skills, broadening their connections ns and fostering a sense of belonging. . With a member network of over 18,000 top-tier leaders across 75+countries, including nearly 3,000 women entrepreneurs, EO provides valuable resources for members to reach their full potential.
Stephanie Fontaine, Regional Director for Canada and the US at WEConnect International emphasized the distinct networking challenges faced by women business owners. She stated, “It is widely acknowledged that women have different networking opportunities than men.” “Additionally, some women hesitate to ask help because they fear burdening their existing networks. In our new pilot program with Entrepreneurs’ Organization, we will provide a pre-designed networking opportunity for women business owners to obtain expert insights through the kind of mentorship that can help accelerate their growth.”
EO offers a comprehensive range of benefits to its members, connecting them with mentors and supporting growth across all aspects of their lives and businesses. One notably offering is the regional mentorship available through EO chapters in Canada, which provides mentees support through a structured relationship designed to help meet their unique professional goals.
In Canada and other parts of the world, structured EO mentorship has traditionally been exclusive to current members of EO. However, for the first time, WEConnect International and EO are partnering to extend the benefits of EO mentorship to certified women-owned businesses. This pilot project aims to support up to 6 women business leaders, and to evaluate whether there is value in a larger program beyond the pilot project.
Through an application process, business owners will be asked to share their business goals as well as provide key business statistics. EO will make the matches according to the organization’s regional program guidelines in Canada. It is expected that the pairs will meet once per month for 10 months. Interested entrepreneurs who lead certified women-owned businesses are welcome to apply before the deadline of March 31, 2024.
High-growth, certified, women-owned businesses have unique needs beyond procurement connections. WEConnect International believes that these needs will be well served through this close collaboration with EO. Both organizations are committed to raising awareness of the expanded opportunities available to women businesses owners because of this important collaboration,” said Dominique Laverdure EO Canada Regional Chair.
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About WEConnect International
WEConnect International is a member-led, global non-profit that brings motivated, large corporate, multilateral and government buyers together with qualified women-owned suppliers around the world. It works with over 190+ multinational buyers, with over $4 trillion in annual purchasing power combined, that have committed to sourcing more products and services from women-owned businesses based in over 135+ markets. WEConnect International identifies, educates, registers and certifies women’s business enterprises based around the world that are at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by one or more women. For more information, visit www.WEConnectInternational.org
For more information contact Stephanie Fontaine, Regional Director for Canada and the US sfontaine@weconnectinternational.org
About Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a diverse, professional, and high-quality network of more than 18,000 business founders and owners in 220 chapters across 75+ countries worldwide. Its purpose is to move the world forward by unlocking entrepreneurs’ full potential, and it does this through the power of life-enhancing connections, shared experiences, and collaborative learning. Launched in 1987, EO has been helping entrepreneurs find community and achieve transformational growth together, guided by its core values of Trust and Respect, Thirst for Learning, Think Big be Bold, and Together we Grow. For more information or to get involved, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and visit our website: www.eonetwork.org
For more information contact Denise Canavaggio, Communications Manager – dcanavaggio@eonetwork.org
