JOIN USTo encourage more women to become entrepreneurs, Indian Institute of Management- Bangalore (IIM-B) with support from investment bank Goldman Sachs, has launched ‘Women Startup Programme’. From a seed of an idea to an entrepreneurial venture, the programme will support aspiring women through every step of establishing a business.
The three-phase programme, which is free of cost, is being offered by N S Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL) at IIM-B. It will train women in developing a business plan, understanding costing and pricing, and negotiation skills among others. Phase-1 is a five-week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) which can be accessed by any woman across the country. After several video lectures, interactive sessions and interviews with successful entrepreneurs, participants will have to submit their final business idea.
Candidates with the top 50 business ideas will receive fellowships for on-campus trainings at IIM-B between January and February 2017. While learning the best practices for entrepreneurs through mentors, alumni and classroom sessions, the women will continue to develop their business ideas.
On completion of Phase-2, the top 12 women entrepreneurs will get an opportunity to be incubated at NSRCEL. Over the 12-month incubation period, they will be helped to set up their product or service venture. Some will even receive funding of up to Rs 25 lakh to take their nascent business forward.
Suresh Bhagavatula, Chairperson of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development at NSRCEL, said, “We have designed this course by combining the latest research on entrepreneurial methods and best practices. We hope this programme will be an opportunity for motivated women to systematically work through their ideas and ultimately start their ventures.”
DH News Service