Pune, August 27, 2018: Symbiosis International Deemed University in association with Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and The Association of Women Entrepreneurs / Industrialists of Maharashtra (WIMA) is delighted to organize Women’s Entrepreneurship Summit for women entrepreneurs on August 27, 2018, at the Symbiosis auditorium, Vimannagar Campus, Symbiosis Road, Pune.

“The power to think differently and ahead of the times for the betterment of mankind is what sets entrepreneurs apart. I see that power in India’s young generation today. I see 800 million potential entrepreneurs who can work towards making the world a better place. In Indian mythology, the woman is an incarnation of Shakti – the Goddess of Power. We believe women empowerment is vital to our development.” -Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Under the aegis of WEP, NITI Aayog, SIU and WIMA have decided to organize this Summit to spur entrepreneurship across the country and specifically amongst women. 

Read about: Symbiosis International University (SIU)

The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) by NITI Aayog is a first of its kind, a unified access portal which brings together women from different parts of India to realize their entrepreneurial aspirations. The initiative is aimed at building an ecosystem for women across India to realize their entrepreneurial aspirations, scale-up innovative initiatives and chalk-out sustainable, long-term strategies for their businesses.

Symbiosis International University

Dignitaries addressing the press- L-R- Prof. Anita Patankar, Director Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts (SSLA), Ms  Suchitra Kanade, Chairman, The  Association of Women Entrepreneurs/ Industrialists of Maharashtra, Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor, Symbiosis International Deemed University (SIU) and Prof. Dilip Thosar, CEO, Symbiosis Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (SCEI).

WEP operates within a broader framework of industry collaborations and partnerships, which cut across sectors in the economy. From providing unique services such as credit evaluation of women-led startups by CRISIL and potential equity investments through dedicated funds established by various investors, the WEP opens up avenues of growth and opportunity for women entrepreneurs. WEP aims to address the bottlenecks faced by both aspiring and established women entrepreneurs by streamlining information across government and private sector schemes and initiatives. This Summit is one such critical programme pursued by WEP.

Achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls rests upon unlocking the full potential of women. Women Transforming India builds on the Government of India’s commitment to advance gender equality. The Women Transforming India Awards launched by NITI Aayog and the United Nations in India, in collaboration with DICE Districts, invites stories of exceptional women entrepreneurs encouraging them to challenge stereotypes through business, enterprises and innovative initiatives. This Summit will encourage women participants to apply for these awards too and share their stories.

SIU has committed itself to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship and setting up an ecosystem to facilitate student entrepreneurs to bring their innovation and ideas to fruition. Supporting the government declaration of 2010-20 as 'India's Decade of Innovation', SIU’s Symbiosis Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (SCEI) is a dedicated Technology Business Incubator, catalyzed and supported by NSTDEB Division, Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India. SCEI carries the mandate of promoting entrepreneurship and innovation among young Indians. Through its programmes, “Immersion”, “Inception” and “Incubation”, SCEI bring to young innovators and entrepreneur’s state-of-art technology in its Innovation Lab. SCEI brings in investors and mentors to its incubatee startups helping them cross the “Valley of Death” and bloom their business ideas into modern scalable businesses. One-third of the incubatee startups at SCEI are led by women.

The Association of Women Entrepreneurs / Industrialists of Maharashtra (WIMA) is a not-for-profit social organization dedicated to promoting financial independence of women and fulfilling the needs of women entrepreneurs/industrialists with the synergy of collective efforts and common thinking. 

The Women’s Entrepreneurship Summit will bring together women entrepreneurs from varied backgrounds and realities to share their journey and experiences, trials and tribulations in an effort to provide an inspiring and facilitating ecosystem for aspiring and present women entrepreneurs to realize their full potential. A Panel Discussion with successful entrepreneurs will be followed by the sharing of information on financial schemes available for women entrepreneurs. The Summit hopes to offer inspiration and information to spur the spirit of entrepreneurship amongst women.