Design and marketing firm, Vista, has partnered with the world’s largest funding marketplace for women-owned businesses, IFundWomen (IFW) to launch the ‘ReferHer’ program.
The program connects female entrepreneurs around the world with creative resources, capital and coaching at women’s co-working spaces in five global cities including Melbourne, Los Angeles, Paris, London, and Toronto.
Through the ReferHer initiative, Vista is inviting women-owned small businesses to apply to be part of an exclusive networking dinner and nominate a fellow female small business owner to join them. 50 applicants will be selected (10 per country) along with their plus one for a total of 100 globally.
Those selected will receive a seat at an exclusive networking dinner in their country of residence, a Vista package of design and marketing resources, memberships and resources from the co-working space, and two selected winners in each country will be granted $10,000 towards their business.
The in-country dinners will be held in May at women-owned local restaurants and hosted by established female entrepreneurs. The attending small business owners will receive personalised coaching from IFW, an introduction to Vista’s creative resources and an opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs in their markets.
Vista executive vice president for commerce, Emily Whittaker said, “At Vista, we are committed to providing women entrepreneurs with the experiences, tools and resources to help them find success along their journey.
“By inviting the winning small business owners to bring a plus one, Vista hopes to open dialogues to create networks that will rally around women-owned small businesses across the globe. The ReferHer program plays a part in our larger commitment to supporting women-owned small businesses for years to come.”
IFW founder and CEO, Karen Cahn added, “We’re thrilled to partner with Vista for this special opportunity to support women small business owners. Through this program, we’ll celebrate and spotlight this group of entrepreneurs as we continue our mission to closing the funding gap for women-owned businesses.”
Women-owned small businesses can apply until 8 April. Experts from Vista and IFW will review the applications and announce the 100 small businesses on 26 April 2022. The dinner series will take place in May during US Small Business Month.