Unicaja Banco supports, as single sponsoring bank, the first edition of the WOW.up programme-competition, launched by the Asociación de Empresarios del Sur de España (CESUR) to promote female talent and to boost the creation of businesses run by women.
The main goal of this initiative is to provide advice and promote the training of new women entrepreneurs, as well as to develop their business ideas. In that line, Deloitte and the Department of Employment, Training and Self-employment of Andalusia Government collaborate with the project, as several companies, universities and training centres also do.
The programme was presented today at an event in Sevilla, attended by Unicaja Banco’s Area Manager for Sevilla, Rafael Ángel Fernández; and by the head of Secretariat of Unicaja Banco’s Western Andalusia Regional Division, Estefanía Cabrera.
Unicaja Banco’s support falls within the bank’s general interest in developing actions aimed at supporting the business fabric and entrepreneurship in the areas where it operates, as well as within its commitment to diversity and equality, in the exercise of its CSR policy,
WOW.up: Support to female entrepreneurship and leadership in companies
WOW.up is aimed at women aged between 20 and 30, studying at universities or attending higher vocational training courses, or taking their first steps in the labour market. The only requirement is that candidates must have been born in southern Spain (Andalucia, Extremadura, Ceuta or Melilla) or must work in any of those regions.
The participants must submit an entrepreneurship project with a business idea applicable in any field of activity and with a technological base. Up to 50 projects will be selected and mentored by a group of experts for four months.
The three winning proposals, which will be selected by a jury, will receive an economic prize, as well as the opportunity of being included in a business incubator.
The jury will be composed by high-level professionals from different sectors and linked to southern Spain.
In addition to the support of Unicaja Banco, WOW.up is also backed by institutions such as Deloitte or the Department of Employment, Training and Self-Employment of the Andalusia Government, through Andalucía Emprende. The project receives the academic advice of eight universities (Almeria, Cordoba, Granada and UGR Emprendedora, Extremadura, Malaga, Sevilla, Pablo Olavide and Loyola), several companies, training centres, business schools and business accelerators.
CESUR
The Asociación de Empresarios del Sur de España, CESUR (Southern Spain Association of Business Owners) is a non-profit private and independent association, integrated by business owners and managers, which seeks to improve the social, economic, corporate and educational conditions of southern Spain regions.
It gathers more than 175 socially responsible companies –from Andalusia and Extremadura- which seek excellence in their development and in that of their territories. It is the largest business association in the country by number of partners. CESUR, by turnover volume of its members, gathers 40% of Andalusia GDP and 35% of the GDP of Southern Spain (Andalusia and Extremadura).
