The highly anticipated launch of the Women Investment Network (WIN) took place on Wednesday, 26 March 2025, at The Venue in Greenpark, Sandton, marking a powerful milestone in South Africa’s gender equity and investment landscape. Brought to life under the visionary leadership of Katie Mohamed, the event gathered entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and corporate leaders in a collaborative space dedicated to advancing access to capital for women-owned businesses.
Themed around “Accelerating Action”, the day featured two compelling panel discussions. The first, The Power of Partnerships, explored how gender lens investing, coupled with strategic partnerships, can unlock transformative growth for women entrepreneurs. The second panel, Women in Technology: Decoding the Role of Women in Digital Innovation, tackled the critical need for inclusion in the digital economy and the role of women in shaping tech-enabled futures.
In her keynote address, Katie Mohamed reminded the audience that, “Women entrepreneurs aren’t just changing lives — they’re reshaping economies.” Her words captured the essence of the event: that women are not simply participating in economic growth — they are leading it.
Panel conversations focused on actionable pathways to funding, including the often-overlooked potential of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), as well as opportunities through corporate enterprise and supplier development programmes. Attendees were urged to explore mutually beneficial global alliances and to build partnerships that are not only impactful but enduring.
Critical discussions also highlighted the barriers to entry that women entrepreneurs continue to face — from unequal access to capital to systemic gender bias — while amplifying the opportunities available through sponsorship, angel investment networks, and dedicated funds aimed at women-led businesses.
The overarching message was clear: WIN is here to create tangible, measurable impact. Its mission is to reshape the investment landscape by embedding gender equity into funding systems and financial ecosystems, ensuring that women are not just included but prioritised.
The event culminated in a call to action, inviting individuals, corporates, NPOs and ecosystem builders to make real financial commitments — not pledges in name, but investments in purpose — to uplift women entrepreneurs and grow women-owned businesses.
The success of the WIN launch marks only the beginning. As Katie Mohamed powerfully concluded:
“This isn’t a moment. This is a movement. And it’s powered by women.”
