FI facilitated partnerships with local service providers to offer event spaces, high-speed internet, and co-working opportunities for female entrepreneurs. This ensured that participants had access to reliable infrastructure, allowing them to focus on developing their startups without worrying about logistical barriers.

Over 700 attendees participated in 10 public startup education events featuring successful entrepreneurs. These workshops not only provided fundamental business training but also helped build a strong community of female entrepreneurs who could support each other in their journeys. FI utilized its Entrepreneur DNA Assessment to identify accelerator applicants with the highest entrepreneurial potential, independent of their education or business/ business idea.

FI’s team then designed a customized accelerator program to address Afghanistan’s unique challenges. The curriculum was adapted to support non-tech businesses and ensure women’s safety and participation. Additionally, over 50 mentors from Afghanistan, Silicon Valley, and beyond provided guidance, sharing global best practices to help participants develop businesses that were both locally relevant and globally competitive.

Afghan entrepreneurs launched diverse and innovative solutions. Startups founded included a women-led transportation service, a paper bag production company, a ketchup/sauce brand, and a financial service startup. Several women-led startups continued to grow with additional mentorship and funding support post-program. USAID and FI offered continued advisory services and technical support for a year following the program’s completion. This ongoing assistance ensured that startups had the guidance and resources needed to sustain and scale their operations.