With societal norms making it difficult for women to get into entrepreneurship, Pi515 founder Nancy Mwirotsi decided to start another program, the Girls’ Entrepreneurship Incubator (GEI).
“It’s a community where girls can come together and make new bonds, connections and networking opportunities,” freshman integrated health sciences major Dornubari Godpower said. “We’re emphasizing women in this career field [because] there’s more obstacles to go through as a woman when it comes to these fields and backgrounds.”
Pi515 offers free coding, programming and AI learning in order to provide opportunities for kids across Iowa. GEI is more specific for women, as it is a place for young women to learn the ins-and-outs of entrepreneurship, as they work on projects, present ideas and receive mentorship from business professionals.
Mwirotsi, who is originally from Kenya, wanted a place for women to learn and be passionate about what they do.
“Women are still underrepresented in fields like STEM and innovation leadership, even though women have every quality needed to be exceptional leaders in those spaces,” Mwirotsi said. “GEI gives young people a safe space to fail, learn how to be bold and build that confidence.”
The program also offers the opportunity for college students to help with the program as well. Frise Mukina, a sophomore in finance, regularly helps out with the program, and uses the opportunity to give back to the program.
“I thought it’d be really good for me to change my perspective from not only being [a] participant, but now being the person that’s running it, and having the ability to share my knowledge with the other students,” Mukina said.
Beyond giving back to the program, other participants such as Godpower highlighted the environment and a place to grow as entrepreneurs.
“For us as freshmen, and being able to be in an environment where we can be student leaders and work on our skills,” Godpower said. “The environment truly does matter [and] it’s something that improved the experience I had working with Pi515.”
That sense of empowerment is something that Mwirotsi hopes everyone in the program takes from their time spent with Pi515 and GEI.
“Every kid has a story, and you have to listen to them,” Mwirotsi said. “At Pi515, I believe students are the key stakeholders. People often say, ‘Nancy, you are doing so much for students.’ I always say no; they do so much for me. They give me hope and remind me of the purpose of life. Seeing them shine fills my heart. I know I am leaving behind a better world, one filled with thoughtful, critical thinking, inclusive and empathetic young people who will build better products, make an impact and grow economies.”
For more information about GEI, click here.
