5th edition of AccelerateHer launched to empower women entrepreneurs

The Centre for Local Business Development Inc. (the Centre) has officially launched its 2026 AccelerateHer Programme, welcoming 130 entrepreneurs and building on the success of six previous entrepreneurship cohorts held between 2021 and 2025.
This year’s programme is made possible through support from the Greater Guyana Initiative and like previous cohorts, aims to enhance leadership and business capabilities, positioning entrepreneurs for growth in Guyana’s developing economy.

More than 130 entrepreneurs from across Guyana applied this year, with 40 selected to participate in Phase One — the Bootcamp. Phase One features a dynamic two-day bootcamp, where participants will engage in peer- and mentor-led sessions, develop business models, practice pitching, and brainstorm strategies for growth. Following the intensive bootcamp, participants will be further shortlisted for Phase Two. Phase Two — the Cohort — is a 12-week programme featuring tailored weekly courses, one-on-one mentoring, and a peer-learning environment. The opening ceremony, held on the evening of Thursday, April 16, 2026, featured remarks from Programme Lead at the Centre for Local Business Development, Ron Glasgow, who outlined the strategic training participants will receive.
“Over 130 entrepreneurs applied for this programme across Guyana. To the 40 of you who were shortlisted, ladies, I want to assure you that you have earned your place to be here. But I also want to give you a grounded reminder: to whom much is given, much is expected. You stand on the literal grounds of over 100 female entrepreneurs who have soared beyond what we ever expected.”

He added that the Centre is proud to welcome the fifth cohort of female leaders and the seventh cohort of entrepreneurs into its growing entrepreneurship community. “Programmes like AccelerateHer are designed to give women business owners and Managers the tools, strategic insight and confidence to evaluate where their businesses are today and to chart a clear path for sustainable growth in the future.” Meanwhile, Glasgow also emphasised the need for the private sector to seize and maximise available opportunities across the country.
“We have to be able to run a marathon at a sprint’s pace. And what that means is that we need to really think about this as members of the private sector. This message speaks to urgency, preparedness and the innate drive on the part of entrepreneurs to pursue and optimise the opportunities that exist.”
Meanwhile, representative of Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud commended the women for channeling their inner confidence to take on this responsibility. The programme is further supported by Programme Coordinator Cecil Maxwell, the entire Centre team, volunteer mentors and subject matter experts. The AccelerateHer Programme is financially supported by the Greater Guyana Initiative, funded by ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd, and CNOOC Petroleum Limited Guyana. The Centre for Local Business Development Inc. is a registered not-for-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening the capacity of Guyanese businesses to meet international standards. The Centre also supports companies in the extractive and other sectors in fulfilling local content requirements through training, mentoring and supply chain development.
Since its founding in 2017, the Centre has registered over 7,000 businesses, assisted 100 companies in developing HSSE management systems, and conducted numerous industry seminars, business missions, and entrepreneurship programmes.