AccelerateHer to empower talent in technology, innovation

DIFC FinTech Hive’s third edition of AccelerateHer programme will be more than double in size this year, supporting up to 40 female participants in total, compared with 14 last year.

For the first time, AccelerateHer will run in two cohorts through a hybrid programme structure combining both virtual and in-person elements, allowing the programme to be open to global participants who wish to access the wealth of expertise and experience within DIFC.

The first cohort of 20 female participants from financial institutions has already been selected. The DIFC has been committed to supporting diversity in the financial services sector since its inception in 2004. The DIFC FinTech Hive first launched AccelerateHer in 2019 to develop female talent in financial technology and innovation sectors.

To date, the scheme has successfully supported nearly 30 participants with one-to-one mentorship, workshops and networking opportunities. Previous participants came from a range of financial services firms and have used the programme to accelerate their personal development and contribution to their organisations. Through the programme, some participants were able to launch their own female-founded FinTechs. The current edition is targeting women across the financial services industry with six months to three years of experience.

Raja Al Mazrouei, executive vice-president of DIFC FinTech Hive, said: “DIFC’s commitment to fostering a world-class pool of diverse talent is central to our strength, both as a global financial centre and a leading innovation hub. We are proud to bring together a wealth of expertise across our community, forging varied and valuable connections through initiatives such as AccelerateHer in order to fulfil our mission to drive the future of finance.” — business@khaleejtimes.com