Omanghana
Khadija Talalawa, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Cheer Natives, has emerged as the winner of the Fearless Fund Africa pitch competition held on March 22, 2026. The victory earned her a grant of GH¢100,000, approximately $9,000, to support the expansion of her business.
The Cheer Natives specializes in producing natural food and beverage products made from locally sourced ingredients. Among its offerings are popular wellness drinks marketed under the Cheer Up beverage brand, which are designed to promote healthier lifestyle choices using indigenous ingredients.
Talalawa said the funding will help the company significantly expand its operations. According to her, the grant is expected to support efforts to scale production, widen distribution, and potentially more than triple the company’s sales and revenue as it reaches new markets across Ghana.
Although Talalawa took the top prize, the competition also provided financial support to other participants. The four remaining finalists each received GH¢20,000 to help grow their businesses and strengthen their market presence.
The event also marked the introduction of new financing opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Fearless Fund announced the launch of a microfinance loan product aimed specifically at women-led businesses operating in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. The initiative will provide loans ranging from GH¢10,000 to GH¢30,000 to support small and growing enterprises.
The Fearless Fund Africa initiative is part of a broader effort to increase access to capital for women entrepreneurs who often face barriers to financing. The organization is led by its founder and chief executive, Arian Simone, who has positioned the fund as a platform for empowering women-led businesses that are frequently overlooked by traditional investment channels.
The pitch competition was organized as part of the official launch of Fearless Fund’s operations in Ghana. The event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders to explore opportunities for supporting innovation and inclusive economic growth across the country.
The initiative also received support from several partners, including global logistics company UPS, which is collaborating with the fund to help strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems and expand opportunities for women-led ventures in Africa.
Source: Omanghana
