Staff Correspondent
Recently, The U.S. Embassy Dhaka, in partnership with BRAC University’s Center for Entrepreneurship
Development (CED), celebrated 90 aspiring women entrepreneurs on their completion of the Academy
for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program at the university’s campus in Badda. Chargé d’Affaires ad
interim Megan Bouldin presided over the event, reaffirming the U.S. government’s commitment to
women’s economic empowerment and fostering economic growth that is both gender-inclusive
economic growth and provides opportunities to religious and other minorities across the country. The
ceremony celebrated the achievements of 78 exceptional women entrepreneurs from across
Bangladesh—including Sylhet, Cumilla, Barishal, Khagrachari, Jashore, Chattogram, and Dhaka—who
successfully completed the second cohort of the U.S. government-funded AWE Program.
“Congratulations to the remarkable women who completed the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs
(AWE) program this year,” said Chargé d’Affaires Megan Bouldin. “You are paving the way for future
generations of women entrepreneurs and proving that women have a critical role to play in
Bangladesh’s economic development.”
During the ceremony, six top business pitch winners from the latest cohort were awarded for their
outstanding business proposals. Chargé d’Affaires Bouldin also announced an additional $30,000 grant
to fund a business pitch competition among 140 participants from all AWE cohorts. “We are thrilled to
announce this funding, which will allow women from all cohorts to compete for multiple $5,000 awards
to support their entrepreneurial ventures,” Bouldin added.
The event featured a mini-fair and exhibition where participants showcased and sold their products,
demonstrating the entrepreneurial skills they developed through the program. Many participants come
from marginalized and minority communities, exemplifying their resilience and determination
throughout their entrepreneurial journeys.
The AWE program, a global initiative of the U.S. Department of State, equips women with essential
business knowledge and skills. Delivered in partnership with Arizona State University’s Thunderbird
School of Global Management and the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, the program uses the
DreamBuilder platform to provide online learning resources and soft-skills training.
This year’s cohort included 90 participants from Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet, with priority given to
women from indigenous, minority, and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The three-month
course, conducted in Bangla by industry experts, emphasized sustainability, peer-to-peer learning, and
networking—creating a solid foundation for business growth.
“The AWE program is not just about entrepreneurship—it’s about economic empowerment,” said
Bouldin. “When women succeed in business, their families, communities, and economies thrive.”
The U.S. Embassy’s partnership with BRAC University’s Center for Entrepreneurship Development
reflects a shared commitment to fostering sustainable programs that address the needs of
underrepresented women entrepreneurs and promote the growth of small and medium enterprises
(SMEs) in Bangladesh.
The AWE initiative aligns with the U.S. National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality, promoting
women’s full economic participation and supporting a future where women from diverse backgrounds
can contribute meaningfully to global economic growth, strengthening the prosperity of their
communities and industries.
