The transformative ability of technology to empower women entrepreneurs has taken a significant stride forward in Guyana. The HerVenture mobile app has now reached over 10,000 women in the country, meaning more than one in 25 is a user, promising strong progress for women in Guyana’s business ecosystem.
The HerVenture app is designed to support women to start, sustain and grow successful businesses by building their knowledge, skills and confidence and has gained remarkable traction since its launch in Guyana in 2021.
By providing access to crucial business skills and knowledge and building users’ confidence, the HerVenture app addresses the challenges often faced by women in business, such as limited access to resources and networks. 88% of users in Guyana apply their new learning to their business and 91% improve business performance thanks to the app, meaning HerVenture has provided a boost to thousands of businesses across the country.
“I learned how to harness the full potential of social media for marketing purposes, which has tremendously increased my clientele,” said Upasna Mudlier, Director of Denmor Garment Manufacturers Inc., on the benefits she gained from HerVenture.
The app’s success can be attributed to its tailored and contextualised design, intentionally developed to meet the specific needs of women entrepreneurs in Guyana, its high quality, relevant learning material, and that it offers free, bite-sized lessons that can fit easily into women’s busy lives. As many women in Guyana run unregistered businesses in remote and underserved areas of the country, the remote, offline learning HerVenture enables further underscores its relevance as a resource.
The app is developed by the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, and is delivered in Guyana with ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. and GTT, with funding from ExxonMobil Foundation and supported by the Ministry of Human Services. This collaborative approach has contributed to the app’s extended reach, widespread adoption and impact on the business ecosystem in Guyana, where women’s entrepreneurship is a major contributor to the economy.
“We are thrilled to see such a positive response to our HerVenture app in Guyana,” said Cherie Blair CBE KC, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. “Women in business often face unique hurdles, and this app is designed to bridge that gap by offering tailored resources and knowledge. It’s heartening to witness the growing number of women who are taking charge of their entrepreneurial journeys and driving forward women’s empowerment in Guyana.”
“Congratulations on this great milestone with the HerVenture app,” says ExxonMobil Foundation President Alvin Abraham. “We’re proud to support the outstanding work the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women does to enable the success of women-owned businesses through this unique mobile platform.”
“We are thrilled to celebrate the third year of our enriching partnership with the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women,” said Dr. Vishnu Doerga, Chair of ActionINVEST Caribbean. “Over these years, we’ve seen the profound impact on thousands of women entrepreneurs in Guyana. This sustained collaboration continues to unlock potential, foster growth, and drive a wave of prosperity and innovation throughout our nation.”
“Empowering women is not just a mission; it’s a movement. At Mobile Money Guyana (mmg), we believe that every woman should be given the tools to succeed,” says Bobita Ram, General Manager at mmg. “In a nation where one in 25 women is using the HerVenture app to improve their knowledge, we stand proud to have contributed to this learning through the addition of the mobile money learning track to lend to the education and development of women across Guyana and being a part of this empowerment journey. Fintech, powered by mmg, is vital for small business development. It’s so important to us that we’ve integrated a dedicated learning course on mobile money within the HerVenture app because we know that knowledge is the key to unlocking possibilities and bettering businesses. Together, we’re shaping a brighter, more inclusive future where every woman-owned business thrives.”
As the app continues to gain traction, HerVenture is not only poised to drive substantial economic growth; the app is playing a pivotal role in narrowing the gender gap in business ownership and empowering women to reach their full potential.
