Oct 8, 2011 (PRN): Many women across Africa, South Asia and the Middle East have the ideas and ambition needed to become successful entrepreneurs but are held back by barriers such as lack of access to business skills, technology, networks and finance.

In response, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women has developed an innovative solution that combines mentoring with technology to offer cross-border support to women entrepreneurs in developing and emerging markets. In collaboration with Google, the Foundation built a virtual community for women entrepreneurs to support each other and receive online mentoring and business advice.

The programme began with a 12-month pilot phase to test the new online platform and determine best practice. Following a positive independent evaluation, the Foundation is now continuing to expand its reach in order to support increasing numbers of women around the globe.

Founder, Cherie Blair says, "Our mentees are women with great entrepreneurial potential, and our mentors give them a vital boost by providing them with the extra advice and support they need."

Sarah Speake, Strategic Marketing Director at Google, says, "This programme will make a clear and tangible difference to the women it supports. I am thrilled that Google has been able to help make this happen through our partnership with the Cherie Blair Foundation."

About the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women

The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women provides women with the skills, technology, networks and access to finance that they need to become successful small and growing business owners, so that they can contribute to their economies and have a stronger voice in their societies. www.cherieblairfoundation.org

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