Telangana Pioneers Women's Entrepreneurship Platform

Launch of WEP Telangana Chapter

• NITI Aayog launched its first State Chapter of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) in Telangana.
• The initiative is a collaboration between NITI Aayog, WE Hub, and the Telangana government.
• BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, was the chief guest at the launch event in Gachibowli.
• The Telangana chapter and its logo were officially unveiled during the event.
• This marks a significant step in promoting women's entrepreneurship at the state level.

Objectives and Support Mechanisms

• The platform aims to empower women entrepreneurs across various sectors.
• Key focus areas include digital skilling, access to financial services, mentorship, and market linkages.
• WEP offers customized support to address challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.
• The platform provides resources, tools, and a robust network to enhance business growth.
• It aims to tackle issues such as lack of access to financing, mentorship, and market opportunities.

Role of WE Hub and Key Figures

• WE Hub, India's first women-exclusive incubation center, will serve as the nodal agency for WEP activities in Telangana.
• Sita Pallacholla, CEO of WE Hub, has been appointed as the Mission Director of the WEP Telangana Chapter.
• Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary for IT and Industries, announced the appointment and presented 'WE Bridge', a single-window platform for women entrepreneurs.
• Dr. Sangeetha Reddy, Co-chair of WEP and Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals Group, emphasized the importance of mentoring and networking.
• Anna Roy, Mission Director of WEP, was also present at the launch.

Impact and Future Plans

• WEP has successfully onboarded 30,000 women entrepreneurs and their groups as members since its launch in 2018.
• The platform has over 400 mentors from different industry sectors.
• NITI Aayog plans to expand WEP to tier 2 and tier 3 cities in the future.
• The initiative aims to create a supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs across urban and rural areas.
• Subrahmanyam urged women business groups to create awareness about WEP and advised the state government to replicate WEP's initiatives.

Significance for Women Entrepreneurs

• The platform addresses unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, such as balancing household responsibilities with business management.
• It aims to provide a helping hand to carry forward women's entrepreneurial efforts.
• The initiative recognizes the importance of women's entrepreneurship in India's economic future.
• WEP Telangana Chapter is designed to elevate SHG women businesses and build high-quality brands.
• The platform will set up stalls in all mandals in Telangana to promote grassroots-level entrepreneurship among women.