By Zoila Palma: The International Network of Women in Business (NIME Belize Inc.) and IDB Lab have celebrated the completion of Stage 1 of the “Catalyze Her Potential” initiative, an incubation program that has supported 124 female entrepreneurs across all six districts of Belize.
The inaugural incubation phase officially concluded with a national graduation ceremony on Saturday, August 29, in Belize City.
Participants completed a seven-course online curriculum covering financial literacy, business planning, branding, marketing strategies and business formalization, with district-level certification ceremonies held in Corozal, Orange Walk, Cayo, Toledo and Stann Creek.
NIME Belize Founder and President Katia Montenegro Hoare said the initiative is helping women overcome barriers to entrepreneurship and build stronger households and communities. “Our core mission at NIME has always been to dismantle the systemic barriers facing women in business,” Hoare said. She added that the program provided practical support in areas including business formalization, financial literacy and market strategies.
IDB Country Representative for Belize Karla González said the partnership is helping create greater opportunities for women entrepreneurs. “IDB Lab and NIME Belize combine regional expertise with trusted local networks to expand opportunities for women and build a more inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem for the country,” González said.
The incubator program began in May and was completed in July 2026.
Following Stage 1, 91 qualifying entrepreneurs transitioned into Stage 2, the ten-week Accelerator Program, which is scheduled to conclude in September.
The accelerator focuses on market expansion, access-to-finance preparation, business plan development and pitch training to help participants scale their businesses and enter formal markets.
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By Zoila Palma: The International Network of Women in Business (NIME Belize Inc.) and IDB Lab have celebrated the completion of Stage 1 of the “Catalyze Her Potential” initiative, an incubation program that has supported 124 female entrepreneurs across all six districts of Belize. The inaugural incubation phase officially concluded with a national graduation ceremony
The post International Network of Women in Business Belize, IDB Lab celebrate graduation of 124 female entrepreneurs appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
