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
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)
Who is eligible to apply?
If one of the co-founders is a female and above the age of 18, and fully dedicated to the business and not employed in any capacity by any other company
Does the program focus on specific sectors or geographies?
We are sector agnostic and are open to early-stage idea from across the country
Can a single founder apply to the program?
Yes, We accept applications from solo founders. That said, our advice remains that one-person startups are tough and you are more likely to succeed with a co-founder.
I have two ideas? Can I submit two applications?
Each applicant must apply with a single idea
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
How much equity will NSRCEL take from my startup?
NSRCEL does not take equity from ventures part of the Women Startup Program.
When can I apply?
Applications for the current cohort are closed. To express your interest in the upcoming cohort of the program, please fill out form here.
What stage should the startup be in to be eligible?
Ideation stage and early-stage start-ups that demonstrate the potential to innovate, implement and create impact.
Where will the program take place?
All the activities related to Launchpad (pre-incubation) will be conducted online. We will be introducing to you certain tools and platforms during the induction session to facilitate all the activities.
How much does it cost to apply or participate in the program?
The participants will not be charged any fee to participate in the program
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 Launchpad and Incubation to benefit from the sessions and workshops designed for the program.
Contact us