Business

Mary Ojulari Foundation sets to empower 20 Nigerians with $100,000

The Mary Ojulari Foundation is set to nurture 20 exceptional young female Nigerian entrepreneurs and empower them with seed grants of $100,000.

In a statement made available to The Star, the foundation will launch its Vanguard Fellowship with a pilot cohort in the first half 2025.

From an initial shortlist of 40 applicants who will undergo intensive entrepreneurial training, 20 fellows will be selected to receive $5,000 in seed funding, access to co-working space, and ongoing mentorship to bring their ventures to life.

The Foundation states that these efforts aim to not only empower individual entrepreneurs but also drive economic growth and job creation in underserved communities.

The Mary Ojulari Foundation was officially launched recently, with a mission to empower young people and women through enterprise solutions, education, advocacy, and community outreach.

The Foundation, guided by the vision to create sustainable change and foster systemic transformation, is set to impact lives across Nigeria and beyond.

Founded by Mary Ojulari, a seasoned business and finance executive with over 25 years of experience, including 12 years in the diaspora, the foundation reflects her unwavering commitment to addressing socio-economic challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions.

At the heart of the foundation’s work is the Vanguard Fellowship, its flagship programme. This initiative aims to identify and nurture exceptional and young female entrepreneurs who tackle local challenges with creativity and sustainability.

Fellows will participate in a rigorous selection process and a two-week Ignite Bootcamp and benefit from tailored mentoring and access to a growth ecosystem. Successful participants will receive up to $5,000 seed grants to scale their ventures.

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The foundation’s Aspire Scholarship Programme also supports children and young people who have lost one or both parents, providing academic and vocational opportunities to build sustainable futures. Complementing these efforts, the foundation’s advocacy and outreach initiatives focus on promoting equality, human capital development, and sustainable local networks.

“Our mission is to create opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive through innovation, collaboration, and empowerment,” said Mary Ojulari, Founder of the Mary Ojulari Foundation. “This foundation is a reflection of my lifelong passion for uplifting others and building a better tomorrow.”

The Mary Ojulari Foundation invites individuals, corporate organisations, and policymakers to join its mission to build stronger, more inclusive communities. Interested partners can contact the Foundation through the website www.maryojularifoundation.org.

The Star