BITS Pilani, a prominent educational institution, has taken a significant step toward fostering women’s entrepreneurship with the launch of its innovative startup initiative, “Womenpreneur for Bharat 1.0.” This program, initiated by the Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS), is a collaborative effort involving the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) incubated within NITI Aayog. The initiative receives generous support from the Aditya Birla Capital Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Aditya Birla Capital Limited.
The Aditya Birla Capital Foundation, serving as the guiding force for various developmental initiatives, aims to contribute to equitable, inclusive, and sustainable social and economic growth for the country.
According to a research report by NITI Aayog, India boasts 63 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with approximately 20% being women-owned. These enterprises provide employment to 22 to 27 million individuals. The report projects that by promoting women’s entrepreneurship, India has the potential to establish over 30 million women-owned enterprises, generating 150 to 170 million jobs.
The collaboration announcement took place during a state workshop titled “Facilitating Women-Led Development through Entrepreneurship.” Held at the Dorjee Khandu State Convention Center in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, on November 24, 2023, the workshop was organized under the guidance of the State Support Mission of NITI Aayog. It was a joint effort between the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and WEP, acting as a convergence point for stakeholders from the business, government, and civil society sectors to discuss strategies for advancing women-led development through entrepreneurship.
The primary objective of “Womenpreneurs for Bharat 1.0” is to provide financial assistance and incubation support to women entrepreneurs developing solutions in or for tier-2/3/4 cities within the Northeast region, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir. This initiative welcomes both for-profit and non-profit women-led startups operating within the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) domains, addressing business or societal challenges specific to those geographical areas.
Vishakha Mulye, Director of Aditya Birla Capital Foundation & CEO of Aditya Birla Capital Limited, expressed the commitment to creating equitable, inclusive, and long-term social and economic growth for the country through “Womenpreneurs for Bharat 1.0.” The initiative aims to provide a platform to nurture the growth of women entrepreneurs in the country, impacting a large number of underserved Indians through innovative solutions.
Anna Roy, Mission Director of WEP, highlighted that the project strategically strengthens women’s entrepreneurship in the tech4good sector, aligning with national goals of gender equality, women-led development, and digital inclusion. Women entrepreneurs leading innovations in critical development areas with a tech-led approach can have significant gains for both business and society.
The initiative is poised to offer funding to qualifying startups, with amounts reaching up to ₹10 lakhs. Additionally, PIEDS will provide comprehensive incubation support, including one-on-one mentoring, assistance in accessing markets, and opportunities to secure future investments.
In conclusion, BITS Pilani’s “Womenpreneur for Bharat 1.0” initiative, in collaboration with WEP and supported by the Aditya Birla Capital Foundation, signifies a concerted effort to empower women entrepreneurs and drive inclusive development. The program’s focus on tech-driven solutions aligns with the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, ensuring that women-led startups contribute significantly to India’s economic and social progress.