Following a successful pilot, Drexel’s Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship once again partnered with the Global Give Back Circle to deliver an intensive Entrepreneurship and Business Case Pitching Course. This year, the impactful program doubled in size, equipping 100 rural young women at the HER Lab economic empowerment incubator in West Pokot, Kenya, with the tools to bypass systemic financial exclusion and restrictive gender norms. Led by Close School Professor Ozlem Gonul, PhD, the initiative brought the “Drexel Blueprint” directly to these emerging founders, combining fundamental business modeling with sustainable Circular Economy principles.

The 13-week virtual curriculum was brought to life by two exceptional Drexel representatives: third-year economics major Chloe Mshana and recent Close School alumna Lasya Tarini. Alternating teaching weeks, Chloe focused on social entrepreneurship framework while Lasya coached the participants on presentation grit and pitching dynamics. The global collaboration culminated in a high-stakes final pitch competition, where local, women-led ventures like Stitches by Alkebulan (Best Overall) and Tamkal Shop (Most Innovative) took center stage, transforming technical classroom theory into viable market solutions.

This powerful partnership underscores the university’s commitment to university-wide impact and global community empowerment. By teaching these resilient young women how to pitch their business ideas with confidence and secure financial backing, the Close School is helping forge a new generation of international leaders who will lift their communities as they rise.

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