From Pitch to Payroll: WeVenture Helps Women

For other founders, the program helped them to explore how to better leverage technology and build cross-border partnerships and networks.

In Kazakhstan, Marina Boshel manages a company that trains and connects women seeking flexible work schedules — including caregivers and others unable to commit to full-time employment — with beauty salons that rent workstations by the hour. Before WeVenture, much of the matching process was managed manually, a time-intensive process that constrained growth. Through the program, Marina developed an app-based platform that automates those connections, allowing self-employed stylists to quickly identify and book available workstations while helping salon owners fill unused capacity. In its first month alone, the platform connected more than 100 women with income-generating opportunities.

"This allowed us to scale in a way that simply wasn't possible before," Marina emphasized. She is now looking to continue developing the online platform and expand its reach.

For others, WeVenture opened markets well beyond their home countries.

Salome Kareli, a founder in Georgia working in sustainable packaging, had already brought together more than 70 companies focused on circular economy solutions. Through mentorship and peer exchanges facilitated by WeVenture, she connected with entrepreneurs across the region and established the Caucasian Circular Economy Alliance, expanding collaboration and market access well beyond Georgia.