Women Developing Mobile Technologies

A major investment in the future of womembt kisumu 2 n in technology industries is being made by an all too uncommon new start-up accelerator called Women Innovate Mobile (WIM). It is WIM's intention is to foster women entrepreneurs, provide constructive feedback, and to assist start-ups in managing a long list of business concerns related to running a mobile development company in addition to concerns related to being a female entrepreneur.

Earlier this month WIM began accepting applications from companies owned or co-owned by a woman and a product associated with mobile technology. WIM is offering office space free of charge to two to five mobile start-ups. Included in the package is investment capital, and access to mentoring and leadership skills. Education regarding networking skills is also an item on the agenda when a company decides to participate in an accelerator program; providing one of the many entrepreneurial women seeking assistance access to networks and other support systems previously inaccessible to many small business owners. Before the inception mbt kisumu 2 white of WIM, women were even more seriously underserved by male dominated business accelerators. Women Innovate Mobile is first such accelerator dedicated to female enfranchisement in the mobile tech world.

Start ups are on the rise this year; they are anticipated to reach the highest numbers seen in fifteen years. Even with positive numbers like that, women only represent thirty-five percent of start-up owners. A trend WIM intends to see turned around and more balance between men and women owned new start-up companikisumu 2 black es. In the interest of fostering that balance WIM is focusing on mobile tech companies. WIM would of course love to see the next generation of mobile technology, applications and devices, come from one of these groups nurtured by the emergent acceleration program. With most investors still being men some women are resistant to asking for help, WIM works hard to increase visibility and approachability amongst women and the sources of capital funds to a realize entrepreneurial goals.

The efforts of WIM and similar organization have seen success promoting women owned startups are responsible for the small three percent growth in overall ownership. They believe they have much more work to do to accomplish their exponentially more far-reaching long-term goals. With help from other start-ups and successful venture capitalists may very well see their goal realized sooner rather than later. Seeing as employment levels in the United States is below appropriate levels according to anyone personal metrics. Seeing growth in business startup activity is music to the ears of investors and economists all over the world. Seeing that growth fueled by entrepreneurial women should be as likely and it should occur just as often as any other group of dedicated business developers.

Women in Philanthropy: Five Stories

The 2011 International Fundraising Congress started with the stories of five women from around the world and thmbt tupu eir journeys with philanthropy. Even though these women came from different places, there were similarities between their stories and their journeys. Karen Osborne, a US-based fundraising consultant, provided an engaging narrative tying these stories together.

The stories started with Anu Aga from India. She works with several charities, including Teach for Asia. She saw and need, and saw giving as a way to help. In regards to her philanthropy, she stated simply that "giving is a very natural thing... and it's very joyous... (it is) very fulfilling - not a duty or a chore.

Next was Dame Stephanie Shirley from the UK. She also says about philanthropy, "it is a pleasure... I feel like I don't have a choice." She expressed a desire shared by other donors: that she wants to be viewed as a stakeholder and as part of the family. But most of all, she said that she just wants to be thanked.

Pegmbt vizuri gtx gy Dulany, founder of Synergos, shared about, among other things, her upbringing. Starting from a young age, her parents encouraged her to give away a percentage of her allowance. This act carried into adulthood and now she is continuing to invest in organizations that are having an impact.

Moving south to Brazil, we were introduced to Viviane Senna, who founded Instituto Ayrton Senna. Her son, who was killed in a race car accident, had a strong desire to help those with less. Her philanthropy increased significantly in memory of her son. She talked about the importance of both passion and being strategy when addressing community needs. For her, it was about being able to '"unlock the potential (children) were born with."

Last, but not least, Yaa Asohemaa Nimako fromvizuri gtx black Ghana shared about her giving. She also talked about the importance of identifying the passion of our donors, as well as about sharing stories about how lives are being impacted. She also expects that money contributed will be used wisely. When asked about which gifts brought the most joy, she pointed to those experiences where she gave time, energy, and teaching skills (as well as money). When engagement increases, money will typically increase as well.

Mrs. Osborne summarized the responses by identifying those themes that were common to the women's stories: vision, shared values, having an impact, deep engagement, and the joy of giving.

How are these five themes playing out in your organization? What can you do to improve those (and communicate that to your donors?)