Celebrating a Decade of Impact: mHub's Commitment to Entrepreneurship
Over the past decade, mHub has invested over $2.5 million in 61,000 entrepreneurs incubated at the hub of which 54% are women led enterprises. The hub has championed more than 10 entrepreneurship accelerator projects and programs in 15 districts across Malawi, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to empowering women and youth in Malawi.
In celebration of mHub’s 10th anniversary, we are thus shining a spotlight on one of its cornerstone pillars: Entrepreneurship.
These initiatives have been pivotal in advancing women’s representation and empowerment in the business sector, fostering independence and leadership among women. Similarly, by focusing on youth entrepreneurship, mHub has been instrumental in addressing unemployment and creating opportunities for young people to become business owners, thereby also contributing to community development through job creation.
mHub’s entrepreneurship programs are designed to provide comprehensive support to early-stage, innovative, and impactful entrepreneurs. This includes financing, mentorship and technical assistance to help these businesses grow and scale. Participants in these programs are expected to have business ideas, registered businesses or developed business plans.
The programs are hands-on, featuring bootcamps that cover essential topics such as financial management, business model development, climate-smart business models, digital marketing, and monitoring and evaluation.
Here is a brief look at some of the notable enterprenuership projects:
1. Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)
In partnership with the U.S. Embassy, mHub has been implementing the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program. This initiative, part of a global effort spanning over 50 countries, aims to dismantle barriers that hinder women's access to economic opportunities. By providing resources, training, and practical skills, AWE empowers women to create and sustain successful businesses. The program focuses on equipping women with the skills necessary for entrepreneurship, fostering leadership, and promoting economic independence.
2. Growth Accelerator Malawi
The Growth Accelerator Malawi program is designed to support the scaling of innovative and impactful ventures across all industries in Malawi. Targeting post-revenue businesses, this program combines blended financing, including matching grants of up to USD 40,000, with mentorship and technical assistance. Since its inception, the Growth Accelerator has supported 59 entrepreneurs through five rounds, from 2018 to 2023. This initiative helps businesses scale and achieve their full potential by providing crucial resources and support.
3. Business Acceleration for Youth (BA4Y)
Funded by USAID and managed by the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and Bioversity International, the Business Acceleration for Youth (BA4Y) program focuses on youth entrepreneurship. mHub’s implementation of BA4Y emphasizes supporting youth-led businesses, with a particular focus on female entrepreneurs. The program provides incubation and acceleration services, along with financial facilities, to foster entrepreneurial growth among young people.
4. Female Bio Sciences Businesses
The FemBioBiz program, launched by SANBio with support from Hivos Southern Africa and BioFISA, is another significant initiative managed by mHub. This program supports women in the bio-sciences sector, creating a network of talented female bio-entrepreneurs. By providing access to knowledge, markets, and finance, FemBioBiz enhances the visibility and employability of women in biosciences, promoting gender inclusivity and entrepreneurship in this critical field.
5. Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests (MCHF)
Funded by USAID and UKAID, the MCHF project promotes sustainable forest management and alternative energy options. The Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests Accelerator supports businesses focused on sustainable energy solutions, such as briquettes, pellets, improved cookstoves, and gasifiers. This initiative aims to reduce unsustainable tree cutting, improve forest cover, and conserve associated watersheds while promoting environmentally friendly cooking technologies.
6. Youth and Women Economic Empowerment Project
In collaboration with UN Women, mHub launched the Women and Youth Economic Empowerment Project across six districts in Malawi. This project provides entrepreneurship training and seed funding to women and youth. By equipping participants with skills in financial management, business plan development, and pitching ideas, the project targets microenterprises led by women and youth, offering them mentorship and comprehensive support to thrive.
7. Uniterra Grow Fund
The Uniterra Grow Fund aims to enhance financial access and business development services for youth entrepreneurs. This fund provides technical assistance in accounting, marketing, business operations, and decision-making. By supporting young entrepreneurs with these essential resources, the Grow Fund helps them navigate the challenges of business growth and development.
8. HatchStart Incubation Programme
The HatchStart Incubation Programme, executed by mHub in collaboration with the World University Services of Canada (WUSC), focuses on early-stage and idea-stage entrepreneurs. This program helps establish viable, sustainable, and socially conscious business models. It includes training on starting and maintaining profitable businesses, as well as providing seed capital grants to support entrepreneurial ventures.
The Road Ahead
As we celebrate a decade of impactful work, mHub remains steadfast in its mission to empower entrepreneurs across Malawi. Our comprehensive support programs, ranging from financing and mentorship to technical assistance and training, continue to foster innovation, economic independence, and community development. We look forward to the future with optimism, committed to driving positive change and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Thank you for being a part of this journey and for your continued support in making our vision a reality. Here’s to many more years of empowering entrepreneurs and driving meaningful change in Malawi !