On June 16, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE Bolivia) celebrated the graduation of 35 women entrepreneurs from its program in Tarija. During the event, three promising startups received seed capital to aid their development.
Joshua Fischel, Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Bolivia, expressed satisfaction with the program's impact: “We’re thrilled with the impact AWE has made on the lives of women entrepreneurs in Tarija. This program keeps expanding and opening up new opportunities for women across the country—strengthening businesses, creating jobs, and contributing to Bolivia’s economic development.”
Since its inception in 2021, AWE has become a significant initiative for promoting women's entrepreneurship in Bolivia. Over 780 women have graduated from the program across all nine departments of the country. The U.S. Embassy in Bolivia leads this effort with implementation by Fundación Emprender Futuro and local support from organizations such as Centro Boliviano Americano (CBA Tarija), CAINCOTAR, Universidad Privada Domingo Savio, and Estampa Chapaca.
The program includes a comprehensive training experience over three months with mentoring sessions and business management workshops aimed at helping participants grow their ventures both locally and nationally.
Allison Silva, Executive Director of Fundación Emprender Futuro, commented on supporting these entrepreneurs: “We are proud to support the growth of the 35 women of AWE Tarija and witness their transformation. Each of them is now prepared to lead with vision and impact.” She added that AWE provides more than knowledge—it offers confidence and real opportunities for long-term success.
The graduation ceremony included a Pitch Competition where projects were evaluated based on innovation, impact, and scalability. Three finalists were awarded seed capital: First Place received $2,000; Second Place received $1,000; Third Place received $500. These funds aim to help winners enhance their market presence and progress toward building sustainable enterprises.