Strengthening Women-Led Enterprises for the Global Marketplace
The UWI MECC WENC Project is designed to strengthen the capacity of women-led enterprises, empowering them to take part, or take greater part, in the global marketplace.
Vision 2030 noted that higher capital gains and increased GDP could be secured from value-added production, innovation, and global participation. This Project builds the capacity and mindset of entrepreneurs to be innovators who produce value-added products in the marketplace. Together, we develop robust business models and strong startup mechanics.
Facilitated by dynamic knowledge creators, the project couples comprehensive group workshops with individual coaching and mentoring sessions, utilizing best-practice assessment tools before and after intervention to guarantee sustainable commercial growth.
Project Partners
MECC (UWI Mona)
Provides social enterprise incubation, business structuring, diagnostic assessment, and commercialisation guidance.
WENC Caribbean
Regional network connecting women founders across Jamaica and the Caribbean diaspora.
Development Bank of Jamaica
Institutional sponsor powering capacity-building grants and financial readiness support.
Objectives
Key strategic priorities guiding the empowerment, commercial resilience, and global market expansion of participating women-led enterprises.
Women-Led Enterprises: Capacity Building
To strengthen the capacity of women, empowering them to take part in the global market space. This is an effective means to tackle poverty, employment, equality and equity challenges.
Value Added Production
Vision 2030 noted that higher capital gains and increased GDP could be secured from value-added production, innovation and global participation. This Project will build the capacity and mindset of entrepreneurs to be innovators who are able to produce value-added products in the marketplace.
Globalisation
To ensure the global competitiveness of the women-led enterprises and guarantee financial sustainability. With robust accounting, taxation, finance and financial management techniques, the women-led enterprises will be more equipped for global success.
Development & Innovation
Strategic digital marketing and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) arm the women-led enterprises to be disruptors. The Demo Day will increase knowledge exchange by fostering partnerships with local, regional and global players through shared knowledge opportunities.
Programme Measurements & Diagnostic Assessments
The UWI MECC team applies global best-practice assessment tools to evaluate each woman-led enterprise, guiding goal setting before intervention and measuring impact afterwards.
Skills & Needs Assessment
Baseline evaluation of individual founder and team competencies, operational capabilities, and pressing enterprise development needs.
Enterprise Resilience Assessment
Comprehensive diagnostic of enterprise operational stamina, risk mitigation preparedness, and market adaptability.
GrowthWheel 360° Assessment
360-degree holistic evaluation across Business Concept, Operations, Organization, and Customer Relations to establish strategic focus and track post-intervention capability growth.
Programme Training Modules
Nine structured modules delivered through cohort workshops and individual advisory to build resilient, market-ready, and investor-grade ventures.
Overcoming Challenges in Entrepreneurship
Building resilience, conquering entrepreneurial hurdles, and cultivating problem-solving agility.
Building Successful Women-Led Ventures
Strategies for driving sustainable leadership, organizational culture, and scaling women-led teams.
Legal Considerations for Small Businesses
Corporate structuring, contracts, intellectual property protection, and regulatory compliance.
Business Model Development
Designing scalable, value-added business models, market positioning, and revenue mechanics.
Accounting & Taxation
Bookkeeping best practices, tax obligations, reporting standards, and financial compliance.
Finance & Financial Management
Cash flow optimization, unit economics, working capital management, and investment readiness.
Artificial Intelligence
Leveraging modern AI tools and automated workflows to accelerate productivity and operational output.
Digital Marketing
Digital brand growth, omnichannel customer acquisition, analytics, and global reach strategies.
Pitch Preparations
Crafting compelling investor pitches, storytelling, and presenting with clarity and conviction.
WENC Virtual Expo & Market Showcase
A live virtual showcase connecting women-led enterprises with potential customers, partners, buyers and the wider business community.
Lightning Pitches
Meet the participating entrepreneurs through fast-paced commercial pitches showcasing their businesses, products and services.
Interactive Virtual Booths
Visit each enterprise’s digital booth to learn more, access resources, explore offers and engage directly with the founders.
Business Connections
Connect one-on-one with participating entrepreneurs to discuss opportunities, make enquiries and schedule follow-up meetings.