In a collaborative effort aimed at fortifying women-led development through entrepreneurship, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog orchestrated the Second State Workshop, a part of its State Support Mission. Held in partnership with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, this pivotal gathering convened at the Dorjee Khandu State Convention Center in Itanagar on November 24, 2023. The workshop, focusing on the northeastern region, saw participation from representatives of all eight northeastern states.
The event commenced with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu, announcing the establishment of a Women Entrepreneurship Cell, earmarked with an initial funding of INR 5 crore. This initiative, aligned with the government’s commitment to inclusive development, aims to bolster women entrepreneurs in the state. The Cell will facilitate specialized programs, including incubation and acceleration, aligning with the ethos of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.” Shri Khandu lauded WEP’s efforts in fostering an ecosystem for women entrepreneurs and expressed his hopes for continued collaboration.
Mr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission NITI Aayog, articulated through Viksit Bharat 2047 the vision of fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Meanwhile, Ms. Anna Roy, Senior Advisor at NITI Aayog and Mission Director of WEP, underscored the pivotal role of WEP in catalyzing women-led development in the Northeast.
Eminent women entrepreneurs shared their journeys and insights, shedding light on navigating policy ecosystems, philanthropy’s role, and the significance of collaborations in fostering transformative impacts for women entrepreneurs.
During the workshop, key initiatives were launched for women entrepreneurs in the northeastern states under the Award to Reward (ATR) program of WEP, specially designed in partnership with industry leaders. The “CatalyseTech EntreprenueHer Innovation Challenge,” a partnership between Atal Innovation Centre and SELCO Foundation, was launched to support clean energy entrepreneurship. The ATR program aims to empower women entrepreneurs in crucial sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and micro-businesses, promoting sustainability and climate resilience.
Another significant launch was the “Maitri program,” a partnership with MakeMyTrip, intended to train and capacitate women homestay owners in the northeastern region. This initiative focuses on empowering women entrepreneurs by imparting training on utilizing online marketplaces and creating a robust digital presence.
Furthermore, collaborations were introduced to foster an enabling environment for women-led enterprises. Initiatives like the “NASSCOM Future Skills Program,” catering to skilling women entrepreneurs across different technological backgrounds, and the “FLO MSME Assist Centre” by FICCI FLO were launched to provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and skill development.
The “Womenpreneur” program by BITS Pilani and Aditya Birla Foundation, designed to recognize and nurture women enterprises using tech-led approaches, offers a comprehensive 18-month incubation program along with seed funding opportunities.
To expand WEP’s reach, the strategic partners, Mastercard and SquarePanda, unveiled new features on the WEP platform, including content in 12 languages and a chatbot, among other functionalities.
Encouraging active participation, the Hon’ble Chief Minister urged attendees to register on the WEP platform (www.wep.gov.in) and benefit from the multitude of programs launched during the workshop.
The event boasted over 1500 participants, comprising women entrepreneurs, local self-help groups, government officials, industry representatives, incubators/accelerators, financial institutions, philanthropic foundations, and more. It offered insightful sessions aimed at bolstering women entrepreneurs on their entrepreneurial journey and featured a tech experience center curated by the SELCO Foundation, showcasing sustainable tech entrepreneurs from the northeastern region.