Empowering Women Entrepreneurs - Blog

Entrepreneurship is an exhilarating journey, and the startup world is becoming increasingly diverse, with more and more women entrepreneurs emerging in recent years. Despite the progress, there is still a long way to go to close the gender gap in entrepreneurship. According to a report by Grant Thornton, women accounted for only 18% of all business owners in India in 2021. The reasons for this are manifold, including lack of access to capital, networks, mentors, and supportive policies. 

TiE Hyderabad's initiatives to empower women entrepreneurs

To address this gap and empower women entrepreneurs, TiE Hyderabad, the Hyderabad chapter of the global network of entrepreneurs, has been taking a slew of initiatives. TiE Hyderabad is a not-for-profit organization that aims to foster entrepreneurship, nurture startups, and connect entrepreneurs with mentors, investors, and peers. TiE Hyderabad has been organizing several events, workshops, and mentoring sessions to support women entrepreneurs and help them thrive. 

The importance of women's expos

Here are some of the notable initiatives by TiE Hyderabad to support women entrepreneurs: 

Mentor Lounge: A Women startup focused mentor support initiative to help these startups raise capital, find partners, suitable investors, and market entry approach. Over 30 women founders availed themselves of this opportunity to get access to TiE Hyderabad Mentors & had 1-1 interactions with them. More than 15 charter member mentors were involved in this activity. 

TiE Women Grand Launch with Investor Connect: TiE Hyderabad in collaboration with HITEX Hyderabad has hosted the grand launch of TiE Women for two years and is coming up with the third year. On the sidelines of this grand launch, TiE Hyderabad hosts a women-centric investor connect with invited VCs from the Hyderabad Investment Ecosystem. Over 12 fund managers were present to hear the women entrepreneurs pitch their ideas. 

TiE Women BootCamp: TiE Hyderabad, in its process to nominate the finalist for the TiE Women Global Competition, has hosted a focused boot camp to support these women-led startups. The boot camp covers 19+ topics in nurturing their entrepreneurial journey & creating an avenue of 120+ mentoring hours. 

Entrepreneur Development Program, networking, pitching, and mentoring opportunities throughout the year. Over these four years, At the Chapter level, we have impacted 250+ Women startups leading their way to successfully running businesses and raising funds through Shark Tank India. 

TiE Hyderabad has been impacting and enabling women entrepreneurs to succeed by providing a platform for networking, mentorship, and access to funding and resources. Such initiatives are essential to support the growth and success of women-led startups, especially in an ecosystem where they face several challenges, including lack of funding, stereotypes, and biases. 

Apart from these initiatives, TiE Hyderabad is an an active role in the upcoming Business Women Expo, organized by HITEX, which is expected to be a game-changer for women entrepreneurs. The expo aims to bring together women entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and policymakers under one roof, providing an opportunity to showcase their products, network, learn, and get inspired. The expo will feature several activities, including a women's pitch competition, keynote sessions, workshops, and exhibitions. 

Strategies to succeed in a challenging ecosystem

Expos such as this one is essential to creating a conducive environment for women entrepreneurs to thrive. Here are some reasons why: 

Networking opportunities: Women's expos provide an opportunity for women to connect with other women in their industry or with similar interests, which can lead to new connections, collaborations, and partnerships. 

Education and skill-building: Women's expos often offer workshops, seminars, and panel discussions on topics ranging from career development to health and wellness. These sessions can help women develop new skills and knowledge and provide insights on industry trends and best practices. 

Empowerment and inspiration: Women's expos can be an empowering and inspiring experience, as they bring together women from different backgrounds and experiences who are passionate 

In conclusion, the world needs more women entrepreneurs, and organizations like TiE Hyderabad are playing an important role in supporting and empowering them. Through events, initiatives, and resources, TiE Hyderabad is helping women entrepreneurs overcome the unique challenges they face and build successful and sustainable businesses. By focusing on clear business planning, financial management, and networking and marketing, women entrepreneurs can increase their chances of success. And by attending events like the Business Women Expo, women can connect with other professionals, gain new skills and knowledge, and find the resources and support they need to achieve their goals. We must continue to support and invest in women entrepreneurs, not only because it's the right thing to do, but also because it makes good business sense. With the right tools, resources, and support, women entrepreneurs can thrive, create jobs, and drive economic growth for years to come.

Rashida Adenwala, President - TiE Hyderabad; Founder & Partner - R&A Associates