Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited and NSRCEL, the start-up hub at IIMB celebrated the valedictory ceremony for the fourth cohort of the Women Start-up Programme in Bangalore.  

The programme aims to support ambitious and innovative women entrepreneurs by enabling them to transform their ideas into successful business ventures.  

The Women Start-up Programme has served as a catalyst for over 23,053 women helping them develop entrepreneurial and managerial skills.  

The programme's entrepreneurs are from a diverse range of over 20 sectors, encompassing fields such as technology, social impact, agriculture, retail, healthcare, energy and environment, textile, apparel, and many others.  

Before progressing to the incubation stage, the selected entrepreneurs completed both the Massive Online Open Courses (MOOC) and pre-incubation phases. 

In the final phase, 267 shortlisted women entrepreneurs were selected for incubation for 12 months by NSRCEL based on their prototypes and pitches to the screening committee.  

The participants received guidance from NSRCEL mentors and successful entrepreneurs from its previous cohorts, shaping their ideas and developing robust business plans.  

Shanti Ekambaram, whole-time director, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said, “By combining our resources and expertise, we aim to provide aspiring women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.” 

Addressing the occasion, Anand Sri Ganesh, CEO, NSRCEL said, “The programme has not only empowered countless aspiring entrepreneurs but has also catalysed a powerful spirit of women entrepreneurship across India.”  

The event ceremoniously acknowledged and celebrated the achievements of 15 start-ups elated to receive the 3rd phase of grants, representing a significant milestone within the programme. Each venture was granted Rs 5 lakh, while an additional Rs 5 lakh was granted to six special category founders in recognition of their overall progress since the beginning of the programme.  

In total, the funds disbursed by the programme amounted to Rs 2.75 Crore, reflecting its substantial impact and dedication to driving innovation and economic growth. In addition the entrepreneurs from the program have successfully secured external funding totaling Rs 1.8 crore.   

The event featured panel discussions on key topics like 'Local to Global: Strategies for Global Expansion of Women-Led Start-ups', ‘Building a Legacy: Women Leading in Business and Beyond’, and ‘Balancing Act: Navigating Work-Life Integration as a Woman’.