By: Domingo Dargbeh
Jewel Starfish Foundation (JSF), SATEC Liberia, and the Center for Public-Private Development (CEPDEV), in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), have successfully hosted an intensive Entrepreneurial Readiness and Grant Access Support Initiative (TEF Application Session) at the Jewel Starfish Foundation in Monrovia.
The four-hour, hands-on session brought together 30 female-led businesses from Monrovia; all determined to access the prestigious Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program; a flagship continental initiative empowering African entrepreneurs with funding, training, mentorship, and global exposure.
Jewel Starfish Foundation Executive Director, Pekay Nyepon, underscored the importance of the initiative in advancing economic independence for young people, particularly women and girls.
“This program is not just about funding. It is about building sustainable businesses that transform families, communities, and the nation.”
CEPDEV head of communication, Elkana Vah, highlighted the power of collaboration among local institutions to unlock global opportunities for Liberian entrepreneurs.
The technical session was led by John McCauley, Jr., Founder and Team Lead of SATEC Liberia, and a TEF Alumnus.
From firsthand experience, he delivered a comprehensive walkthrough of the TEF application portal, breaking down: core eligibility criteria and selection processes
Key application sections: Personal Information, Business Profile, and Core Proposition
The top five mistakes Liberian entrepreneurs often make and how to avoid them
Practical strategies for crafting competitive and compelling proposals
Participants also engaged in breakout mentoring sessions focused on:
Concept & Impact Development Clarifying scalability and societal relevance
Financial Projections & Business Viability Simplifying numbers and presenting realistic forecasts
The TEF Entrepreneurship Program annually selected thousands of entrepreneurs across 54 African countries, providing:
US$5,000 non-refundable seed capital;
12 weeks of intensive online business training;
One-on-one mentorship from experienced business leaders;
Access to global networking opportunities; and
Ongoing support through the TEFConnect digital platform.
The program supports ventures across agriculture, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, creative industries, services, and more sectors that are critical to Liberia’s economic growth.
Throughout the session, participants expressed gratitude for what many described as “timely and practical support.” For many startups in Liberia, access to seed capital remains a major barrier to growth. The mentorship session not only demystified the TEF process but also boosted participants’ confidence to apply competitively.
“This is the kind of guidance we have been searching for,” one participant noted during the interactive Q&A segment.
In his closing remarks, Abraham Varney, Founder and Team Lead of CEPDEV, praised the commitment and engagement displayed by participants. He encouraged young entrepreneurs to embrace collaboration, using the partnership between JSF, SATEC Liberia, and CEPDEV as a model for collective progress.
“Growth happens faster when we work together,” he stated.
At the conclusion of the session, participants received certificates of participation and engaged in vibrant networking exchanges aimed at fostering long-term business partnerships and peer support.
The Organizers are calling on: Female entrepreneurs across Liberia to connect and prepare for future sessions; Private sector actors to support women-led enterprises, and Development partners to strengthen grant-access ecosystems across the country.