What is the EMPRO Development Program?
The Empresarias Progresando Program - EMPRO, under the Women's Business Growth initiative of INCAE Business School, has stood out for its focus on empowering women entrepreneurs in Honduras. With the support of full scholarships, the program has provided specialized training to 40 women entrepreneurs, helping them acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to transform and scale their businesses, as well as improve their access to financing.
Program Benefits
The 40 women entrepreneurs selected to participate in EMPRO received a 100% educational scholarship, valued at approximately US$10,000. In addition, they had access to the online accelerator program LEADS Mujer and the Innovation and Finance Bootcamps. Guided trainings and personalized mentoring were provided by INCAE as well as by representatives of the project's partner companies and executives from local financial institutions. It should be noted that the benefit covered only the training, mentoring and accompaniment, without including additional expenses such as transportation, food or lodging.
EMPRO was developed in three strategic pillars, each designed to address key aspects of business growth:
It offers an asynchronous learning space where entrepreneurs access a virtual platform that facilitates the leveling of essential knowledge. This process ensures that all participants have a solid foundation to face the challenges and make the most of the opportunities in the following stages.
The second pillar focuses on developing distribution and expansion strategies. Entrepreneurs work to create a detailed plan for entering new markets and attracting new customers. Throughout this process, they strengthen their business skills, access valuable market knowledge, and assess their readiness to scale their businesses, culminating in the formulation of a growth and expansion plan.
Focused on the acquisition of skills and the creation of a network of contacts that facilitates access to financing. Participants explore and understand the workings of financial institutions, demystifying the banking process and developing strategies to secure financing, enabling them to overcome barriers and advance their business growth plans.
The EMPRO Honduras Program has been a crucial platform for the development of women entrepreneurs in the country, allowing many to transform their ideas into solid and sustainable businesses. Two remarkable stories stand out in this journey: Diana Aguilar and María Auxiliadora Ríos. Diana, thanks to her participation in EMPRO, overcame challenges and consolidated her company in the market, while María Auxiliadora, with determination and teamwork, turned her vision into a successful reality. We invite you to learn more about their inspiring trajectories and discover how the program provided them with the necessary tools to achieve success in their ventures. Log in to watch their case studies and interviews to explore their experiences first hand.
