EmpowHER Biz – Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) has recently introduced a new initiative, EmpowHER Biz – Sapno Ki Udaan, in collaboration with New Shop, a prominent 24/7 convenience retail chain in India. The program is designed to empower women entrepreneurs by equipping them with the necessary skills and resources to succeed in the organized retail sector.

Objective of EmpowHER Biz

EmpowHER Biz is designed to support aspiring women entrepreneurs by offering mentorship and extensive training. The program focuses on essential areas such as retail management, digital tools, financial literacy, and business development. Its goal is to create an environment that helps women succeed in the retail industry.

Selection Process

Fifty women aged 18 to 35 will be chosen through an online application process, with specific criteria to ensure that the most qualified candidates are selected. The top twenty participants will receive a 100% waiver on New Shop franchise fees, lowering the entry barriers for these women.

Target Regions

The program targets women from a variety of states, including Delhi NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, ensuring that women from diverse backgrounds can participate.

Background and Goals of WEP

The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) was established within NITI Aayog in 2018 and evolved into a public-private partnership in 2022. Its mission is to empower women entrepreneurs by addressing information gaps and providing support in areas such as access to finance, market linkages, training, mentoring, legal assistance, and business development services.

Collaboration with New Shop

WEP works with more than 30 public and private sector partners to create impactful programs. One such initiative, the ‘Award to Reward’ program, launched in 2023, provides a framework for creating initiatives that benefit women entrepreneurs. New Shop, which operates over 200 convenience retail stores, plans to expand to mass transit hubs like airports and railway stations.

Commitment to Empowerment

New Shop is committed to empowering over 10,000 entrepreneurs in India by 2030 through a franchising model. The partnership with WEP aims to democratize retail ownership, offering women valuable training, mentorship, and financial support.

Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs

Women entrepreneurs often face challenges such as societal biases and limited access to funding. The EmpowHER Biz program seeks to address these challenges by providing women with a solid foundation to support their entrepreneurial endeavors.