By Amos Harris
In a powerful display of strategic collaboration aimed at driving women’s economic empowerment, the Jewel Starfish Foundation (JSF), SATEC Liberia, and the Center for Public-Private Development (CEPDEV) recently concluded a high-impact training initiative in Monrovia. Hosted in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the “Entrepreneurial Readiness and Grant Access Support Initiative” provided 30 female-led businesses with the tools needed to scale their ventures and access international funding.
The intensive four-hour session, held at the JSF Head Office in Congo Town, focused on demystifying the application process for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme—one of Africa’s most competitive platforms for business mentorship and seed capital.
Opening the event, Pekay Nyepon, Executive Director of the Jewel Starfish Foundation, emphasized that the initiative extends far beyond simple administrative guidance. He noted that empowering women is the cornerstone of building resilient communities and a robust national economy. Nyepon reminded the entrepreneurs that while funding is a vital tool, the ultimate goal is creating sustainable businesses that transform families and the wider Liberian society.
Echoing this sentiment, Elkana Vah, Head of Communication at CEPDEV, highlighted the necessity of local institutional synergy. He described the collaboration as a practical blueprint for how Liberian organizations can work together to bridge the gap between grassroots business owners and global opportunities.
Technical Mastery and Mentorship
The technical core of the workshop was led by John McCauley Jr., Founder of SATEC Liberia and a proud TEF Alumnus. Drawing from his personal success within the program, McCauley guided participants through a comprehensive walkthrough of the TEF application portal. His instruction covered everything from eligibility requirements to crafting a “core proposition” that stands out to international reviewers. Crucially, he coached participants on how to avoid the common pitfalls that frequently lead to the disqualification of Liberian applicants.
To move from theory to practice, the organizers facilitated specialized breakout sessions. During these segments, entrepreneurs received one-on-one guidance on concept development, impact clarification, and scalability strategies. A significant portion of the mentorship focused on financial literacy, teaching participants how to simplify complex figures and present realistic growth forecasts that align with their specific business models.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme remains a life-changing opportunity, selecting thousands of entrepreneurs across 54 African nations annually. Successful applicants receive $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, alongside 12 weeks of intensive online business training, world-class mentorship, and access to the TEFConnect digital networking platform. By focusing on sectors like agriculture, technology, healthcare, and manufacturing, the program aligns directly with Liberia’s broader agenda for job creation and economic transformation.
Participants expressed profound gratitude for the session, noting that access to capital is often the steepest hurdle for Liberian start-ups. Beyond the promise of funding, many attendees remarked that the structured guidance provided them with a newfound confidence to position their businesses on a continental stage.
In his closing remarks, Abraham Varney, Founder and Team Lead of CEPDEV, praised the dedication shown by the participating women. He urged the group to view collaboration not just as a one-time event, but as a long-term strategy for success. Varney pointed to the partnership between JSF, SATEC, and CEPDEV as proof that growth is accelerated when organizations pool their resources for the common good.
The initiative concluded with the presentation of certificates and a networking mixer designed to spark peer-to-peer support. As these 30 entrepreneurs move forward with their applications, the organizers are calling on the private sector and development partners to further strengthen the grant-access ecosystem, ensuring that Liberian women remain at the forefront of the country’s economic evolution.
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