The Business Accelerator – Training Program
Corporate Connect, a World Bank project funded by the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) provides an opportunity for Women-owned Small and Medium Enterprises (WSMEs) in Bangladesh to learn and adopt improved business practices, enhance their business connectivity and readiness as suppliers, and develop confidence as assertive business leaders. The objective of this training program is to expand business opportunities for WSMEs by preparing them to do business with domestic and international corporations. This training program is organized by North South University in collaboration with WEConnect International, implementing partners of the Corporate Connect project.

Eligibility criteria that your business must meet to qualify for the training program:

I. Priority will be given to businesses that are at least 51% owned, as well as managed and controlled by one or more women
II. Businesses that are led by one or more women who also have some equity ownership in the business are also encouraged to apply.
III. The company must have operated in the formal sector for at least one year.
IV. Priority will be given to businesses that have  a Business Identification or Tax Identification Number.
 V. The company should have a business bank account with a financial institution.
VI. Evidence of readiness to do business with larger buyers such as willingness to grow, ability to articulate products and services, plan/ability to scale up when orders are received, etc.
VII. The woman attending the program can be from any part of Bangladesh but should have a stable internet connection to attend all classes. The woman also should take necessary preparations and keep herself available to attend all classes according to the schedule.
VIII. The individual attending the training must be willing to be contacted and respond to research questions related to the training and subsequent impacts.

If you meet the criteria above, answer all questions in the application form to the best of your knowledge and ability to improve your chances of being selected for training.  
Participants will be selected by a team of NSU, WEConnect International and The World Bank.