MADCash and YWCA Singapore Celebrate Milestone Graduation of First Hopemaker Women’s Business Accelerator Cohort

Singapore, 23 July 2025 – MADCash Singapore, in partnership with YWCA Singapore, has successfully completed the inaugural cohort of the Hopemaker Women’s Business Accelerator (WBA), marking a major milestone in their joint mission to empower underserved women entrepreneurs.

Over a transformative 10-week journey, 28 remarkable women from four different nationalities came together with one shared mission – to build sustainable businesses and uplift their communities. The program focused on key areas such as business planning, confidence building, and financial literacy—all tailored to support women who are often excluded from traditional economic opportunities.

The graduation ceremony was held on 12 July 2025, marking the end of the first phase of the accelerator. As participants stepped into the next stage of their entrepreneurial journey, they were matched with mentors to help guide them in implementing what they’ve learned.

The milestone was further celebrated in a larger gathering on 22 July 2025, attended by over 100 guests, and graced by Ms. Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development. The event also served as a platform for YWCA Singapore to highlight several new initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for women they serve.

“This accelerator isn’t just about entrepreneurship. It’s about hope, transformation, and the ripple effect of empowering women in their homes and communities,” said Nuraizah Shamsul Baharin, Founder of MADCash. “We are proud to stand with YWCA Singapore in creating meaningful pathways for women to thrive.”

The collaboration between MADCash and YWCA Singapore is set to continue beyond this first batch, with both organizations committed to expanding the program and deepening their impact.

Pham Thi Duyen ( Cherry) who provides beauty and makeup services, said, “The most valuable part of the MADCash program was the step-by-step guidance that helped me structure my business clearly. I really appreciated the practical tools like the Business Model Canvas and the Value Proposition exercises. The mentorship and support from the trainers made me feel seen and heard, especially as a single mum building a business from scratch.”

Meanwhile, Fitriana Dewi, who runs a traditional Indonesian food business, said, “This is a good program that educates on the financial aspects of a business and how to run one.”

Han Yen Ting, who sells artwork of her special needs daughter Joy, said, “I learned so much from it (the program) and the support from the staff at YWCA and other entrepreneurs are exceptional!”

Congratulations to all participants!