The U.S. Embassy Dhaka, in partnership with BRAC University’s Center for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), celebrated 90 aspiring women entrepreneurs on completing the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program at the university’s campus in Badda today.

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 Bangladesh—including Sylhet, Cumilla, Barishal, Khagrachari, Jashore, Chattogram, and Dhaka—who 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 in Bangladesh’s economic development.”

Six top business pitch winners from the latest cohort were awarded for their outstanding business proposals during the ceremony. 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.