Innovation

Income

Agency

Our unique, hybrid model facilitates female entrepreneurs living under the poverty line to start their own businesses.

The Zena model is founded on the single premise that investing in female entrepreneurs has the power to change the global stories of gender inequality, and extreme poverty. We believe that educated, female business owners are positioned to address systemic and pervasive community issues.

With little to no financial literacy or infrastructure, female entrepreneurs living in rural poverty are vulnerable to exploitation and pitfalls of loans and handouts. In short, female entrepreneurs living in rural poverty are facing two major barriers to business opportunity: lack of education and lack of capital.

We set out to change that.

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How it works

We have a HYBRID model of social enterprise and nonprofit. At The Zena Launch Pad, our model provides debt free access to skills and capital for female entrepreneurs, under the poverty line, to start their own businesses. 

Through short term apprenticeships, Zena program members are able to earn a living wage above the poverty line, while saving monthly towards the start-up capital they need to start their businesses.

While on the program, Zena women work together creating our Collection of Ankole Cattle Horn jewelry, sold in the US and UK. The profits are reinvested into The Zena Launch Pad and used to employ more female entrepreneurs.

 
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Equipping Female Entrepreneurs

Vision

We believe female entrepreneurs are the best placed visionaries and change makers for their own communities. We work with women who have a venture idea for their communities.

Education

Each entrepreneur is placed on a tailored education program to build her business plan aswell as to access the classes and one on one mentorship she needs to thrive.

Agency

No hand-outs, No loans. We believe that if women can earn their own start up capital, they will be able to implement it how they want to, and have confidence in their own leadership.

Community

Zena program members graduate as business owners with a ready made support system of peers.

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Personal Development

We believe in the power of community as an engine to equip confident leaders. Alongside our comprehensive entrepreneurship curriculum, we provide holistic, pastoral and leadership development sessions. We believe it is vital to facilitate safe and honest conversations around gender based violence, family planning and mental health. When Zena entrepreneurs graduate, they have a network of support in their community.

 
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Debt-free Capital and Scalable Growth.

The Zena model gives female entrepreneurs, previously living below the poverty line, access to debt free start up capital through short term employment. Each Zena program member is on a unique short term contract based on the amount of capital necessary to start her specific, individual business plan.

 

Here’s a few ways that you can support us.

 
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Donate

Partner with us financially by giving.

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Shop the Product Line

Purchase jewelry made by a Zena woman.