NSRCEL, the start-up and innovation hub at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, has launched the third cohort of the women’s start-up programme. First launched in 2016, with the support of Goldman Sachs, the programme continues to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs reach their goals.
The programme focuses on the Government of India’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for Local.’The third cohort of the women start-up programme received more than 10,000 applications from 34 states and union territories across India. The applications received are from early-stage and idea-stage start-ups of female founders between the ages of 18-60 years.
Encouraging response
The majority of the applications received for the programme are from the tier-2 and tier-3 cities of the country. The top enrolment states are Delhi NCR, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. The programme has also attracted the interest of women entrepreneurs from the North-East states and Jammu and Kashmir.
“The sheer size of the response to this cohort of the programme is overwhelming. Covid-19 may have slowed down a few entrepreneurs, but it has clearly not dented the spirit of entrepreneurship in this country. Going virtual has made it easier for us to reach aspiring women entrepreneurs in places like Kashmir and Mizoram. Now that they are here, we, along with a large network of institutions, will make sure that they stay and progress in this journey,” said Prof Venkatesh Panchapagesan, Chairperson, NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore.
Programme structure
The programme is conducted through a five-week online training course offered on the Government of India’s online learning platform, Swayam, from August 31. Short-listed start-ups from the online certification course will receive mentoring, start-up workshops and potential incubation at NSRCEL.
With endorsement by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, NSRCEL works with iCreate, IIMN Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development (InFED), IIMV Foundation for Incubation, Entrepreneurial Learning and Development (FIELD), Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore), Indian Institute of Management Jammu (IIM Jammu), IIT Guwahati-Technology Incubation Centre (IITG-TIC), Kerala start-up Mission (KSUM), Mizoram University Incubation Centre (MZUIC) and WE Hub to deliver this programme.