Visa, in partnership with Rede Mulher Empreendedora (RME), announces the ten candidates selected for the third stage of Elas Prosperam, which supports micro and small black entrepreneurs from all over Brazil, with a focus on diversity, including cis, trans, community-dwelling and PcD black women.
After the first phase, where 100 of the more than 1,000 applicants from all over Brazil were chosen to take a training course, 20 candidates went through a round of pitches to present their businesses to an evaluation panel. Ten were selected for the third phase of the project, where they will go through an individual business acceleration process over the course of a month. They are:
Alessandra (RJ) – Maria Maria Space: salon specializing in curly and frizzy hair, focused on restoring the self-esteem of black women.
Ebonny (SP) – Ebonny Paranhos Pelvic Physiotherapy: clinic specializing in intimate health and women’s well-being, which offers personalized treatments for sexual dysfunctions, chronic pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, postpartum preparation and recovery, and support for cancer patients.
Edilaine (AC) – Ecoarteac: painting studio on canvas, fabrics, wood, MDF and walls and production of ecological accessories using wood with freehand painting with Amazonian themes.
Emilia (MS) – Run2Mamy: community for mothers who want to start running or doing any physical activity, with content for learning and a focus on mental and physical health.
Giselle (PA) – A Mother’s Cozy Space: multifunctional space dedicated to maternal and child well-being and female entrepreneurship, with specialized offices, a confectionery area, a collaborative store, a training and mentoring room for entrepreneurs and an activity room for children.
Karine (SC) – Regenera Art: brand of fun and sustainable toys, made from recycled wood.
Marcia Cristina (RJ) – Studio Sou Maaz: beauty space with eyebrow design, makeup and braiding services.
Maria Simony (SC) – Criália: digital business hub for micro and small businesses with a focus on co-creative innovation.
Raquel (RS) – Lummus Studio: personalized stationery brand, produces souvenirs, invitations, kits among others.
Thayanne (PA) – Thay Petit: Brand of objects with original design by the illustrator and graffiti artist. Offers decorative items, creative stationery, beach towels, t-shirts, eco-bags and other objects with personalized art.
After the acceleration period, the ten mentees will participate in DemoDay on September 26th, where they will present their projects to a new panel of judges. Five will be selected to receive seed capital of R$10,000 to invest in their businesses.
“Elas Prosperam seeks to empower these female entrepreneurs by structuring, formalizing and expanding access to capital for their businesses. We seek to promote financial independence in one of the groups with the greatest entrepreneurial potential in the country,” explains Ana Fontes, president and founder of RME. “This program is a crucial response to the economic and social strengthening of black female entrepreneurs.”
In its 5th edition, Elas Prosperam is taking place entirely remotely, reaching women from all over the country and facilitating the creation of local networks of entrepreneurs through lessons on entrepreneurship and financial education, as well as thematic mentoring. The themes of the edition include self-knowledge and leadership, financial management, formalization, access to capital, networking and collaboration, and preparation for business presentations (pitch).
“Elas Prosperam helps these entrepreneurs with each small but important step towards their goals and achievements on the journey to build a sustainable, safe and efficient business,” explains Sabrina Sciama, Executive Director of Corporate Communications at Visa Brazil. For the executive, initiatives like this are fundamental for women, who play an important role in the economy, having a significant impact on their families and communities.
“Visa is committed to providing women entrepreneurs with the resources, knowledge, networks and financing they need to grow their businesses. Our program aims to expand and facilitate economic mobility, enabling these women to not only thrive, but also become agents of change,” she concluded.
