Women Entrepreneurship Platform in Telangana Launched By NITI Aayog

In a groundbreaking initiative to further strengthen the ecosystem for women entrepreneurs in Telangana, NITI Aayog, in collaboration with Telangana government, launched the first State chapter of Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), with WE Hub serving as the nodal organization.

Aim

To promote and support women entrepreneurs across various sectors, providing them with resources, tools, and a robust network to enhance their business growth.

Key Objectives

The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) Telangana Chapter has been specifically designed to support women entrepreneurs in the region through several focused initiatives. 

• Digital Skilling: Offering training and resources to enhance digital literacy and technical skills among women entrepreneurs.
• Access to Financial Services: Providing easy access to funding and financial services, including government-backed loans and grants.
• Mentorship and Networking: Facilitating connections with industry leaders, potential investors, and other entrepreneurs for guidance and growth opportunities.
• Market Linkages: Helping women-led businesses connect with markets to increase sales and expand their reach.

The Vision Behind WEP

• Iccha Shakti (the power of motivation), 
• Gyaan Shakti (the power of knowledge), 
• Karma Shakti (the power of action). 

These principles aim to empower women entrepreneurs by transforming their aspirations into tangible achievements and ensuring their ideas translate into impactful actions.

CEO of NITI AAYOG Remarks

• Women entrepreneurship is key to India’s economic future, and the WEP State Chapter in Telangana, with WE Hub as the nodal agency, will significantly enhance opportunities for women.
• Women entrepreneurs face challenges in receiving support in terms of finances, mentoring, and marketing. 
• The base that WEP and the State Chapters provide will help elevate SHG women businesses and build high quality brands through the platform.

Dr. Sangeetha Reddy Remarks

• She is Co-chair of WEP and Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals Group.
• She stressed that mentorship is a critical element for the success of any business. 
• According to her, mentoring offers women entrepreneurs the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and gain insights into navigating the complexities of business.
• Mentoring is crucial for the success of any business. 
• Networking opportunities, facilitating connections with industry leaders, potential partners, and other entrepreneurs, along with access to resources offering guidance on funding options, government schemes, business planning, and mentoring.

Why was Telangana chosen?

• Telangana was chosen as the first state to host a WEP chapter due to its robust entrepreneurial ecosystem and strong track record of supporting women-led businesses. 
• SHG Support : Shri Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary for IT and Industries Departments, Government of Telangana, attributed this decision to the state’s consistent support for entrepreneurship, particularly in Self Help Groups (SHGs) and through incubators at academic institutions.

Commitment to Women Entrepreneurs

• Mission Director for the WEP Telangana Chapter, Ms. Sita Pallacholla, CEO of WE Hub, expressed her excitement for the opportunities this platform will bring to women entrepreneurs across the state. 
• She highlighted WE (Women Entrepreneur)  Hub’s mission to ensure that women-led enterprises, particularly those in underserved areas, flourish through access to funding, technology, and business networks.

What is NITI AAYOG?

• The NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India (GoI), playing a pivotal role in shaping the strategic long-term policies and programs for the country.
• NITI Aayog serves as a dynamic platform, providing both directional and policy inputs to the Government of India and offers relevant technical advice to the Centre and States.