22/08/2026
Launch of the Second Cohort of SHECodes360 Training Program
After the incredible journey of our first round, we at STEMpower are beyond excited to open our doors to over 120 women entrepreneurs and startup founders for Cohort 2 of the SHECodes360 Training Program, hosted at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology - Ethiopia and powered in close partnership with the Embassy of Finland in Addis Ababa - Suomen suurlähetystö Addis Abeba and IBM SkillsBuild under the theme “Empowering Women Startups through Digital Innovation.”
Building on the success of our first 52 trailblazing alumni and the strong foundation of the Tigat (Digital SkillsBuild) project, which trained and certified 3,260 young women in digital skills in 2024/25, these brilliant women are now diving into an intensive three-week journey covering Entrepreneurial Mindset, Business Development, Digital Literacy, AI, Cybersecurity, and Startup Communication.
We were deeply honored to have Tomi Särkioja, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Finland, join us to kick things off. His words hit home for all of us: "We want to see you succeed. We want to see Ethiopia succeed. That is precisely why we are investing in this program."
Our Country Director, Dr. Simenew Keskes, also shared an inspiring note with the room, reminding everyone that this space is just as much about building lasting networks and lifting each other up as it is about technical skills.
Adding his encouragement, Tadesse Anbessie, Startups Support Desk Head at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, told the trainees: “What we are witnessing today already shows that Ethiopia has far greater potential than we often realize. Through you, this country will transform and we are truly happy to see it unfolding.”
Nothing speaks louder than our alumni, though. Hearing from first-cohort graduates, like structural architect and entrepreneur Elshadai Eshetu reminded us why we do this. As Elshadai beautifully put it: "This has been the best experience; with the best people I have met... STEMpower helped me pick up my challenges and turn them into opportunities for my own growth."
A massive thank you to our incredible partners at the Ministry of Innovation and technology of Ethiopia, the Embassy of Finland, IBM SkillsBuild, our dedicated trainers, and everyone believing in this vision.
Here’s to the journey ahead for Cohort 2, let’s build the future together.
www.STEMpower.org