Seed, a Stanford Graduate School of Business-led initiative, has renewed its collaboration with the African Management Institute (AMI) in its ongoing effort to partner with entrepreneurs to help them build thriving enterprises that transform lives.
Stanford Seed, which is a part of the Stanford Graduate School of Business, offers the Seed Transformation Programme to help develop established businesses, while AMI helps ambitious businesses and leaders across Africa to thrive through practical tools and training.
As part of the renewal of the partnership, Stanford has announced a new scholarship fund for the initiative, which spans the African continent, and will now include Francophone Africa. Launched in partnership with Stanford Seed in 2021, AMI’s Aspire Business Growth Programme provides owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their senior teams with practical learning and training to power growth in their business.
“Partnering with AMI to offer the Aspire Business Growth Programme has expanded our ability to reach more SMEs across Africa, while also preparing businesses to be positioned to join Stanford Seed’s Transformation Program for established CEOs and founders,” said Darius Teter, Seed executive director. “Evidence shows that small and early-stage businesses are in need of more tailored support. Through Aspire we’re able to offer support to entrepreneurs at an earlier stage of their journey through AMI’s practical programme built specifically for African business owners.’’
Designed for business owners with annual revenue of between US$20,000 and US$400,000, Aspire is delivered virtually over a six-month period, with participating businesses joining pan-African cohorts of 30 businesses. The programme offers access to AMI’s practical business tools and resources through experiential workshops, online platform access, and peer groups, in addition to a live session delivered by Stanford Seed Graduate School of Business Faculty.
Access to Stanford Seed mentors is offered to a select number of participants who operate high performing businesses that successfully complete all the programme requirements.
“Aspire draws on AMI’s business growth methodology and practical learning approach that has proven to help African businesses grow and thrive,” said Rebecca Harrison, CEO and co-founder of AMI. “The Aspire programme is designed for small-to-medium sized businesses (SMEs) who benefit from learnings focused on five key pillars including Strategy and Planning; Customers and Markets; Finance and Money; People and Talent; and Operations Efficiency.”
Applications for the March 2023 English cohorts are now open here until March 13. To learn more and apply for the Aspire Business Growth Programme in French, with cohorts enrolling in May 2023, go here. Stanford Seed will be offering scholarships of up to 75 per cent to qualified applicants, based on the organisation’s needs.
