R200 million for women empowerment
An uncomplicated risk capital facility worth R200m is now available to help women with convincing business ideas to turn them into reality.
Business Partners last week launched the Women's Fund to address specific problems women have regarding access to finance.
"We understand the financial and personal challenges women experience daily," said fund manager Katja Naumann..
The fund will cater for women with a 25.1% to 100% ownership who require an investment ranging from R250 000 to R5m.
Assessment criteria will focus on, among others, the viability of the business, the associated risk, skills and experience of the entrepreneur.
"Women need to develop a greater acceptance of risk and we have to create an environment where women can be comfortable to take financial risks," Ramos said.
Executive chairperson of Circle Capital Ventures, Mamphela Ramphele, also welcomed the establishment of the fund. She said women needed to start taking risks as entrepreneurs.
However, she warned that "women must run businesses because they want to improve the way business is done, not because they want to run businesses like men".
