DIFC FinTech Hive, the first and largest financial technology accelerator in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, announced today the launch of AccelerateHer, a mentorship programme which equips budding female professionals with necessary tools and experience to play a more active role in the development of the region’s FinTech landscape.
Held in partnership with Carter Murray, a global specialist marketing and sales recruitment agency, the mentorship programme will run from April to November, 2019. AccelerateHer will connect young aspiring executives to accomplished professionals with relevant expertise from across DIFC FinTech Hive’s strategic partnership network, which includes some of the world’s leading financial organisations.
On this occasion, Raja Al Mazrouei, Executive Vice President of DIFC FinTech Hive, said: “Research shows that women remain significantly underrepresented in the upper levels of financial services, so we are very excited to launch today’s initiative under the FinTech Hive umbrella. DIFC’s fintech accelerator plays a crucial role in our efforts to shape the future of the regional financial landscape. I’m confident that AccelerateHer will complement these efforts by exposing the young female talent of the UAE to a diverse range of experiences that allow them to play a more influential role in the future of the industry.”
The first edition of AccelerateHer was formally launched during a breakfast session today, presenting mentees with an opportunity to engage with mentors from a diverse range of fields at this early stage of their career development. The launch event saw 12 mentorship pairings established between mentees and mentors from Arab Bank, AXA Insurance, CIGNA, Emirates Islamic, First Abu Dhabi Bank, HSBC, Insurance House, Noor Bank, Noor Takaful, Standard Chartered, VISA, and Zurich.
AccelerateHer complements the established FinTech ecosystem in DIFC that includes an enabling infrastructure, fit-for-purpose-regulation, subsidised licensing and most importantly, access to some of the world’s pioneering financial institutions.
DIFC FinTech Hive recently announced it has begun accepting applications for the third cycle of its hugely successful accelerator programme. The third cycle will kick off in September, 2019, welcoming selected FinTech start-ups to an intensive three-month programme, which will include guidance and mentorship from 21 partners, comprising financial institutions, insurance firms and strategic partners.
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