AI Entrepreneurship Program Toolkit

Implementing AI Entrepreneurship Programs: A Guide for Governments and Allies

To double the number of women in AI by 2038, targeted interventions that include AI-skilling and mentorship for girls are essential. Countries aiming to achieve this goal will need to implement comprehensive, long-term educational programs that inspire and support young women to pursue technology and AI careers. By engaging more women in AI, countries can drive economic growth and innovation, with the potential to add over $200 billion to the global economy and achieve very large returns on investment.

One proven solution: Technovation Girls

Technovation Girls is a research-based, global technology education program that empowers girls aged 8 to 18 to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders. Through its AI and entrepreneurship curriculum, girls learn to identify real-world problems, develop mobile apps to address those issues, and pitch their solutions in a global competition. The program is designed to bridge the gender gap in technology by fostering skills in programming, AI, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving, all while emphasizing issues that girls care about.

Technovation has already demonstrated its effectiveness in engaging girls worldwide, with 76% of its alumnae pursuing STEM degrees and 60% attributing aspects of their career choices to the program. And we’re not the only ones who are excited – Technovation was chosen in the top 3% of 4,000+ global applicants to be featured as a “proven and ready-to-scale” digital solution for women’s empowerment in the United Nations Development Programme’s [UNDP] Digital X Solutions Catalogue. Now in partnership with UNICEF we’re working to make sure 25 million girls can access the program.

 This toolkit aims to provide governments, NGOs, and policymakers with the tools and strategies needed to scale Technovation Girls across countries, enabling them to take concrete action in doubling the number of women in AI.

Implementing AI Entrepreneurship Programs: A Guide for Governments and Allies

Step by Step Guide for Countries Getting Started

*Interested in getting started in your country? Write to [email protected] and we’ll partner with you to get started. Below is the guide we’ll be using as a framework to launch!

Define Objectives: Align the AI entrepreneurship education program with national/regional goals (STEM education, entrepreneurship, gender, etc.). Set clear impact metrics and long-term vision.

Context Analysis: Assess the current educational landscape, cultural factors, and key stakeholders. What initiatives are already in place that could be supercharged with this addition? What potential barriers might you need to think creatively about?

Budgeting: Estimate costs (training, materials, events) and identify funding sources (government grants, sponsorships).

Timeline: Develop a multi-year plan with the report data tables as a guide with key milestones for pilot, scaling, and full implementation.

Pilot phase notes: Keep in mind key dates like the end of April submission deadline for student projects! (You can see a sample timeline here)

Government Engagement: Secure endorsements from the Ministry of Education and align with national policies and priorities on technology education, gender equality, or future-proof skilling.

Partnerships:

• • Identify and onboard schools and NGOs as implementation partners serving students. Great implementation partners have access to girls, adults, and time/space. You can find more details in this short video or this new implementation partner page.
  • Build relationships through volunteer engagement. Recruit universities and corporations to provide volunteer mentors and judges, as well as serving as workshop/event hosts.
  • Helpful resources
    • Mentor Resource page: everything volunteers need to support participants, including first meeting guidance, team building advice, and curriculum support
    • Mentor Curriculum to deliver Technovation program
    • Questions or need support? Reach out at [email protected]

Community Engagement: Use outreach campaigns and information sessions to build momentum. Materials provided!

Program Setup and Training:

• • • Connect your implementation partner leads to Technovation for in-depth training on the curriculum and program implementation.
    • Work with your implementation partners to adapt the program to local needs, considering local calendars and languages. Form implementation teams, and choose delivery models (after-school programs, boot camps).
    • Implementation partners orient all staff and volunteers and provide any additional local training to supplement the global online training.

Participant Recruitment: Implementation partners confirm participation by girls and mentors through schools, social media, and community events.

Curriculum Planning: Implementation partners ensure all participants will have access to necessary resources and plan a more nuanced timeline for student learning and work.

Launch Events: Implementation partners organize program kick-offs to engage stakeholders and generate excitement. As appropriate, find media and PR opportunities.

Progress Monitoring: Regularly track team progress and provide support. Establish feedback loops for continuous improvement.

Final Events: Implementation partners plan Regional Pitch Events and recognize participant achievements. Planning toolkits and support provided!
*If possible, identify a sponsor to send a representative to the global World Summit event in October!

Community Building: Connect participants who finish the program to the global alumnae network and activate a local in-person alumnae network as well.

Impact Assessment: Collect data on outcomes through surveys and feedback tools (provided).

Reporting: Share results with stakeholders and use insights to refine the program.