Women Startup Program
Uplifting women startups owners by providing tools to amplify their entrepreneurial skills
Women startup program
Uplifting women startups owners by providing tools to amplify their entrepreneurial skills
NSRCEL’s Women Startup Program at IIM Bangalore, a CSR initiative by Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited, aims to support ambitious and innovative women entrepreneurs by enabling them to transform their ideas into business ventures. First ideated in 2016, the Program is designed to focus on the enhancement of the entrepreneurial and managerial skills of women leading early and ideation-stage ventures.
The program equips entrepreneurs with business knowledge for entrepreneurs to build on their ideas in the initial stage through the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Following this, selected candidates participate in a hybrid pre-incubation program, where they undergo business training to develop their prototype. Subsequently, the next batch of selected participants joins the incubation program at NSRCEL, focusing on product development and scale.
Sectors in Focus
We are sector-agnostic and support women entrepreneurs across stages:
MOOCs
Idea-generation Stage
Pre-Incubation
Prototype Stage
Incubation
Revenue Stage
Acceleration
Advance Stage
Our Impact So Far
Learners engaged
Ventures Incubated
Sectors
Partners
Jobs Created
States Covered
Who is it for?
Should be a full-time owner or co-owner of the venture
Applicants must be over 18 years of age and have Indian nationality/residence
What to expect?
Mentoring
Unparalleled access to our extensive mentor network including alumni, industry experts and VCs.
Network
Connects to prospects for sales, business development and technology, as well as access to researchers and academicians shall be facilitated.
Need Assessment
Focusing on area specific development of ventures and ecosystem mapping of their requirements.
Milestone Tracking
Timely track of Milestones to track the venture progress.
Cohort-Based Learning
Community-driven learning model promoting the potential of “women supporting women”.
Legal and Compliance
Pro-Bono legal and company secretarial advice from our experts.
Business Acceleration
Chances to showcase ventures periodically at startup events or exhibitions.
Grant Support
Access to grants of up to INR 3 Crores for selected ventures.
Sustenance and Scale
Navigate your startup journey from inception to expansion with guidance for sustained growth
Co-Incubation with Partner Institutions
Founders have the access to Co-incubate with our Partner Institutes to enhance engagement and support startup growth across India.
Partner Institutions
Ecosystem Partners
Application Process
Hear from our Ventures
Anuja Amin – Founder, Circles of Safety
7 years ago, I started Circles of Safety as a passion project with a single-minded focus on putting an end to child sexual abuse. In 2022, the WSP4 program has brought tremendous strategic clarity, customer focus and mentorship support to guide us every step of the way! Eternally grateful to WSP team and this exceptional program for grounding my purpose! 50+ sessions 100 jargons later, I can explain my business to my grandmother, daughter and an investor. The contribution of this program to venture and my existence is priceless!
Priyanka Khandelwal – Founder, Bing Studios
Overall, NSRCEL was a game-changer for me. The program facilitated a seamless transition from bookish knowledge to practical insights, phenomenal networking opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs throughout the country and globally and a solid learning setup. This program really helped me grow as an entrepreneur and gave me the skills I need to handle the challenges of business life.
Swathi – Founder, BASE’P
My involvement in the Women Startup Program has been transformative, equipping me with essential skills, knowledge, and support to navigate the entrepreneurial journey successfully. The guidance of mentors was instrumental in taking my startup from the idea stage to successfully entering the commercial market. From initially seeking funding to navigating the intricacies of venture financing, WSP has been instrumental in propelling my startup from my brainchild to growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Getting Started
Can a single founder apply to the program?
Yes, we accept applications from solo founders and co-founders as well.
I applied for the program previously. Can I re-apply?
You can apply to the Women Startup Program if you meet the eligibility criteria. Please highlight any additional information on your progress from your application for a previous cohort, to improve your chances of selection.
Is there any program fees?
The program is free of cost and no equity is taken from the startups. The program is fully supported by NSRCEL and Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.
When can I apply?
You can apply for the current – cohort 5 here:
What stage should the startup be in to be eligible?
Click Here to Know more – LINK HERE (Redirect to the home page – WSP).
Can I apply for multiple Verticals under this program?
You can apply for only one vertical or stage during the application process. Kindly choose the one that aligns best with your venture’s stage and requirements.
My question is not answered here. What do I do?
Reach out to us at – wspqueries@iimb.ac.in
During the Program
Where will the program take place?
All the activities related to MOOC will be conducted online, Pre-Incubation and Incubation will be delivered in hybrid mode. We will be introducing you to certain tools and platforms during the induction session to facilitate all the activities.
What do we look for in an applicant?
Founders are required to be committed to their idea full-time and must demonstrate the ability and entrepreneurial mindset to build and grow an organization.
Do I need to be present for the entire duration of the program?
We recommend that at least one of the founders attend the sessions and activities organised as part of MOOC, Pre-Incubation and Incubation to benefit from the sessions and workshops designed for the program.
What can I expect from the Program?
We work on all aspects of an entrepreneur and venture journey with a need-based approach.
What is the duration of each stage?
Each stage has its specific timeframe, MOOC – 5 Weeks, Pre-Incubation – 2 Months, Incubation – 6 Months.
Does the program focus on specific sectors or geographies?
We consider welcome applications from across all sectors and geographies across India.
What does NSRCEL expect from you?
We expect you to be an active participant in all the efforts we put to nurture your venture.
Will my startup get funding in the process?
The program does not ensure funding for your venture at this point in time, we will keep you posted on this over the period of incubation. Through the program, you get to pitch for grants and access connects to various VCs within NSRCEL’s vast network.
So, what are you waiting for?
Get started on your application now
Contact us