The latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) South Africa Report underscores an urgent need to support female entrepreneurs, revealing that South African women are exiting their businesses at a higher rate than they are starting them and almost twice as many men own established businesses compared to women.

In response, UVU Accelerate, the entrepreneurial development and incubation arm of UVU Africa, is making significant strides in closing this gender gap. With over 25 years of driving economic transformation across the continent, UVU Accelerate’s flagship Women in Business programme has empowered more than 2,000 female entrepreneurs with essential technology tools and business support to foster growth and sustainability.

“What started as a tech enablement initiative has evolved into a thriving ecosystem of highly skilled, resilient, and determined female entrepreneurs,” says Lara Rosmarin, Head of Entrepreneur Development at UVU Accelerate. “These women are not just building businesses; they support each other’s growth. Unlike traditional competitive dynamics, with women, we see a strong culture of collaboration and mutual support.”

Despite this success, the demand for such support far outweighs available resources. “We currently have a waiting list of over 2,000 women eager to join our programme, but funding constraints limit our ability to expand access,” Rosmarin explains. 

UVU Accelerate’s Women in Business programme provides tailored support for female entrepreneurs who have been in business for at least six months. The initiative equips them with digital tools to compete effectively in the modern economy. It addresses key barriers highlighted in the GEM report, including limited access to finance, support networks, and business resources. “Every entrepreneur we support receives customised guidance to help them propel their business forward,” says Rosmarin.

The programme’s emphasis on digital skills and tech enablement helps women entrepreneurs optimise operations and increase efficiency, aligning with the GEM report’s recommendations for empowering women in business through digitalisation. 

Dr Danika, founder of Dr Danika Aesthetics & Wellness, was operating from home when she joined UVU Accelerate’s Women in Business programme. Through the insights and skills gained, she successfully negotiated a partnership with the renowned Life Day Spa Group to establish Life Aesthetics, a medical aesthetic practice in De Waterkant, Cape Town. This collaboration enabled her to expand into a larger space, enhance her practice with advanced devices, broaden service offerings, and grow her team significantly.

Dr Danika adds, “I was also able to use the Life Day Spa database of thousands of clients, which dramatically increased revenue, and I may be able to expand to different locations. I would never have had the confidence to do this without the knowledge I gained from the programme. I had zero business knowledge when I started. Doctors are notoriously bad at business – we’re taught to help people but not how to run a practice/business.”

Dr Danika’s success demonstrates the transformative impact of targeted support and mentorship.

Rosmarin highlights a key differentiator among successful entrepreneurs: “They surround themselves with the right people—mentors, financial advisors, and coaches—who help them make informed decisions. Processing feedback effectively is a game-changer in shifting outcomes to their advantage.”

With thousands of applications per programme cycle, UVU Accelerate continues to develop new services to support female entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, from ideation to scale. 

“Entrepreneurship can be a tough and lonely journey. We focus on building skills parallel to creating a strong support system so female entrepreneurs never feel isolated,” Rosmarin adds. “I encourage women to establish their own board of advisors—experts they can turn to when needed.” She also shares essential advice for female entrepreneurs: “Become comfortable with discomfort. A balanced entrepreneur is an oxymoron. You will need to prioritise different aspects of your life at different times. Embrace the unbalanced journey.”

Through a holistic approach combining financial support, technology enablement, and community-building, UVU Accelerate is cultivating an environment where female entrepreneurs can thrive. By doing so, the organisation contributes to South Africa’s broader goals of economic growth, job creation, and increased participation of women in the economy.