Companies Creating Change (C3) and Accenture have launched the C3 I.D.E.A. Accelerator. Powered by Accenture, the program focuses on supporting tech startups that are working towards inclusion, diversity, equity and access for women, people of determination, youth, and underrepresented communities.
A total of 10 early-stage impact entrepreneurs from across the UAE, KSA, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, will be selected to take part in a five-week online learning journey leading up to the final showcase, to be held live in Dubai.
The entrepreneurs will be trained on several business growth, impact and diversity and inclusion pillars, which will support them in maximising the impact that they have on their respective communities, embed diversity and inclusion practices within their organisations, achieve financial sustainability, and, ultimately, solve major challenges at scale. Winners will receive mentoring guidance from various experts to help them strengthen their business strategy and operations.
Medea Nocentini, C3 co-founder, stated, “Impact-driven entrepreneurs, especially those in the MENA region, have been providing innovative solutions that create a more inclusive and diverse society. We are extremely excited to be partnering with Accenture to accelerate their growth and maximise their contribution to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access goals across the region.”
“We believe that everyone should have a chance to thrive,” said Alexis Lecanuet, regional managing director for Accenture in the Middle East. “To make this happen, we’re using human ingenuity and technology to help create a more inclusive society. Today’s partnership with C3 is another example of our commitment to inclusion and diversity and being a responsible citizen – we look forward to supporting, training and mentoring the region’s startups.”
In February 2022, selected startups will get the chance to come to Dubai to meet C3 alumni, network with experts and investors, and showcase their solutions at the Accenture lounge at Expo 2020. The program falls under Accenture’s efforts towards supporting Diversity and Inclusion within the workplace and across the community. Accenture’s purpose is to deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity while delivering 360 value to its people, clients, and communities. The ‘If Not Now, When? A Roadmap Towards a More Gender-equitable Economic Recovery’ report details Accenture’s findings and research on the impact of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
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The program will also receive support from several corporate partners. Standard Chartered is supporting the program as part of their efforts towards Inclusion, Diversity Equity and Access within the financial system. ENGIE are taking the lead on advocating for the role of female leaders and entrepreneurs in the transition to renewable energy. Discovery, the Media for Good Partner, will be documenting the entrepreneurs’ journey, providing them with a platform to raise awareness about their impactful missions and helping them identify new growth opportunities.
Rola Abu Manneh, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank UAE, said: “Diversity and inclusion is what differentiates Standard Chartered. As part of our commitment to be Here for Good, we continuously seek to support young women and small businesses to gain access to the financial system to grow their business. We are pleased to partner with Companies Creating Change (C3) who support our stand in lifting participation and bridging the vast funding gap that still exists for women entrepreneurs.”
Edina Constantinescu, Marketing, Research and Social Good Director for CEEMEA, Discovery, said: “We are passionately committed to supporting Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access within our company and expanding into the communities we operate in and we look forward to offering our support to this program. We are pleased to be a part of this journey and act as a partner, an enabler and a storyteller to individuals and companies that devote their work to making an impact.”
The program brings together several stakeholders to address challenges in the inclusion, diversity, equity and access space that several communities across the MENA region are aiming to reach.
