Around the World Women’s Day, Visa is reaffirming its commitment to empowering women in society and is launching for the first time a Women’s Global Edition of its worldwide start-up program, Visa Everywhere Initiative. The global initiative invites women founders around the world to tackle challenges in the FinTech and Social Impact categories. The participants have the chance to win $ 100,000 in prize money per category. The highlight of the initiative is the final event to be held at the start of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 ™.
Since 2015, the Visa Everywhere Initiative (VEI) has developed numerous visionary solutions to the challenges of tomorrow’s payment and commerce. The program has since been implemented in 75 countries and has awarded prizes, mentoring programs and access to Visa’s global network of partners to more than 70 leading startups. While previous programs had a regional focus, the current initiative is designed around the world. It focuses on millions of under-represented women entrepreneurs and on visa support for micro and small enterprises.
Who is allowed to participate?
All companies with at least one female founder can participate and are invited to submit solutions for the following challenges:
Challenge 1 (FinTech): How can your company’s solution help improve your paying and / or shopping experience (local, regional or global)?
How can your company’s solution help improve payment and / or shopping experiences (at a local, regional or global level)? Challenge 2 (Social Impact): How can female entrepreneurs around the world drive social change by helping to create sustainable and equitable livelihoods and empowering the local economy?
Further cornerstones of the VEI program:
From around the world *: Participating companies are categorized by origin into 6 regions: North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa / Middle East, Europe (excluding France) and France (host country of the final event). From each region, one participating company is invited to the final in Paris for each challenge.
Participating companies are categorized by origin into 6 regions: North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa / Middle East, Europe (excluding France) and France (host country of the final event). From each region, one participating company is invited to the final in Paris for each challenge. Important dates: Submission start: 6th March 2019; Deadline: April 14, 2019; Selection of finalists from all regions: May 2019; World Final Event: June 7, 2019
Submission deadline: 6th March 2019; Deadline: April 14, 2019; Selection of finalists from all regions: May 2019; World Final Event: June 7, 2019 The Final: In the opening week of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 ™, all finalists will have the opportunity to network with partners from the Visa global network. In addition, they participate in a live pitching event in which the overall winners of the VEI are determined.
In the opening week of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 ™, all finalists will have the opportunity to network with partners from the Visa global network. In addition, they participate in a live pitching event in which the overall winners of the VEI are determined. Strong support: The most impressive solutions are awarded by Visa. Winners of both challenges will each receive $ 100,000 in prize money, a mentoring program, and access to Visa’s worldwide partner network. The winners will also receive tickets for the opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 ™.
The most impressive solutions are awarded by Visa. Winners of both challenges will each receive $ 100,000 in prize money, a mentoring program, and access to Visa’s worldwide partner network. The winners will also receive tickets for the opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 ™. Marketing campaign: To support the Visa Everywhere initiative: Women’s Global Edition, Visa is launching a global marketing campaign with “Together as One”. Eight winners and finalists of previous VEI programs from different regions of the world will be the protagonists of the campaign. They should help inspire other women to enter the competition, encourage them to realize their professional dreams and take the risk of starting a business.
Women’s Global Edition underscores commitment
The Visa Everywhere Initiative: Women’s Global Edition highlights Visa’s ongoing commitment to helping founders. The program builds on the recently launched worldwide platform “She’s Next, Empowered by Visa”. It helps founders of small businesses around the world build, sustain and grow their business. She’s Next is backed by the Female Founder Collective (FFC) – a network of women-owned and supported businesses. She’s Next and the FFC hosted a joint event in New York City on March 6, for World Women’s Day.