Doral Bank gets record applications for ‘Despegue Empresarial’
Doral Bank has offered consistent financial and professional tools to Puerto Rico’s women-owned businesses. (Credit: © Mauricio Pascual)
Doral Bank Puerto Rico announced Wednesday it has received a record number of applications for this year’s edition of its “Despegue Empresarial” program, an initiative within its “Mujeres d Éxito” institutional campaign that provides capital and mentoring as a growth accelerator for women-owned businesses.
More than 130 women have submitted applications for their businesses this year, company officials said.
Doral also announced a change in the type of businesses that applied to this initiative with a notable increase in agriculture industry businesses, as well as others in consulting, finance, retail, tourism, manufacturing and design. A majority of applications received are from the extended San Juan metropolitan area, as well as the island’s western flank.
“We’re proud that our program continues to grow and support professional and entrepreneurial women through capital and mentorship. This year’s rise in applications proves the growing role of women as a key driver in our economy and we will continue with our commitment to support their future growth,” said Jesús Méndez, executive vice president, Puerto Rico operations for Doral Bank.
Doral Bank also announced the online expansion of its “Ruta Mujeres d Éxito” initiative through which experts chosen by the bank provide free educational seminars on key topics for professionals or entrepreneurs such as time management, professional etiquette, marketing, communications, government permits, among others. Doral Bank’s website now features a section offering relevant advice and tools from each of the workshops offered during the tour.
Doral has invested more than $2 million in initiatives to support women’s economic development and education through its in-house initiatives.
“In Puerto Rico, a woman leads one of every three families, yet more than 60 percent of women heads of household in the labor force live below poverty levels,” said Lucienne Gigante, senior vice president of marketing, public relations and community of Doral Bank.
