HerVenture in Guyana
Our business skills app HerVenture has supported over 17,000 women entrepreneurs in Guyana - more than one in 15.
With support from our partners, ExxonMobil Foundation, ActionINVEST Caribbean, Inc. and One Communications, HerVenture has been available in Guyana since September 2021.
Guyana is one of the fastest growing economies in the world with a GDP growth rate of more than 20%. Women’s entrepreneurship is a major contributor to Guyana’s economy, yet in 2021 our research identified a demand for business skills development to support women owned businesses’ success. With many women entrepreneurs running unregistered businesses in remote areas of the country, an offline, remote learning resource was needed.
HerVenture, our business skills mobile learning app, provides women running micro and small enterprises with the knowledge and skills to successfully start up and grow businesses. Since we brought it to Guyana in 2021, it has supported over 17,000 women in the country. That means one in 15 Guyanese women are using HerVenture to build a business.
The app offers essential business training and support on the go. It features nine learning tracks on a range of topics, including launching a business, accessing finance, expanding market access and e-commerce. In Guyana, there is also a tenth learning track on mobile money. This support means that less women entrepreneurs will be limited to cash transactions, which are common in Guyana, and will enable them to reach more customers through e-commerce.
What impact is the app having in Guyana?
85% of 2024 users improved business performance.
I learned how to harness the full potential of social media for marketing purposes, which has tremendously increased my clientele. Upasna Mudlier, Director of Denmor Garment Manufacturers Inc., and HerVenture user
79% of 2024 users who launched a business since using HerVenture believe the app supported them to do this.
HerVenture: a business skills learning app
HerVenture is one of the Foundation's six flagship programmes, which also include Road to Growth, Road to Leadership, Road to Finance, Road to Markets, and the Mentoring Women in Business programme. It provides women entrepreneurs of micro and small enterprises with the knowledge and skills to successfully grow their businesses.
Our partners
HerVenture in Guyana is supported by our partner the ExxonMobil Foundation, and delivered with our partners ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. and One Communications.
Read stories of HerVenture users in Guyana
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Upasna’s Story: supporting women through garment making
Upasna runs her family's garment manufacturing business in Guyana. Our HerVenture programme supported her to improve her records and marketing.
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Camille’s Story: growing children into leaders
Camille runs a school in Guyana. Our HerVenture programme supported her to strengthen her business.
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Dr. Ayesha’s Story: revolutionising healthcare in Guyana
Dr. Ayesha Wilburg runs a patient-centred centred clinic. She used the HerVenture app to increase her entrepreneurial skills.
Read more