Niraj Ahiwar
The Government of India`s undertaking National Institution For Transforming India (NITI) Aayog launched Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) on the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8th March 2018. It is a unified platform for women from different parts of India to help them realize their entrepreneurial aspirations. On the launching day of this platform, a WEP theme song “Naari Shakti” whose composed and sung by Kailash Kher was released.
The idea behind this platform is “Women First, Prosperity for All” was stated by Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog. The objective of the scheme is to promote women entrepreneurship, empower them provide financial support and mentoring. More women in the business will create more jobs for the women and a safe working environment for them.
The WEP was established under the leadership of Ms. Anna Roy, Advisor (Industry) NITI Aayog. To create, empower a glorious and dynamic New India. The platform is built on three principles:
- Iccha Shakti: To motivate aspiring entrepreneurs to start their business
- Gyaan Shakti: To provide knowledge and ecosystem support to women entrepreneurs to help them foster in the business
- Karma Shakti: To provides hands-on support to women entrepreneurs in setting-up and scaling up businesses
The WEP platform will also provide financial assistance through free credit ratings, mentoring, funding support to women entrepreneurs, apprentice and corporate partnership. WEP also encourages women entrepreneurs to share their entrepreneurial journeys, stories and their experiences so that they will help in learning for upcoming entrepreneurs. The WEP also recognizes and awards women entrepreneurs every years with the WEP Awards. Nominations for the Women Entrepreneurship Award can be made at WEP official website wep.gov.in
What is the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)? A NITI Aayog (National Institution For Transforming India – Government of India undertaking) initiative for aspiring women entrepreneurs to provide support, mentoring and assistance so that women can realize their entrepreneurial aspirations.
Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP): Objectives
- Building an entrepreneurial ecosystem for women across India
- To help women realize their entrepreneurial aspirations
- To help women entrepreneurs scale-up innovative initiatives and chalk-out sustainable, long-term strategies for their businesses
- To provide vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem with network industry collaborations, partnerships and mentors
- Address the bottlenecks faced by both aspiring and established women entrepreneurs
- To provide information and support from government, private sector schemes and initiatives
Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP): Eligibility
- Aspiring and established women entrepreneurs in India
Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP): Benefits, Assistance & Support
- Idea validation and assessment
- Financial and legal assistance
- Guidance on government schemes
- Mentoring
- Funding assistance, fund raising and evaluation
- Global market access
- Quick and easy company registration
- Self certification and compliance
- Rs. 10,000 crore of funding support
- Tax exemption for first 3 years
Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP): How to register?
- CLICK HERE to go to the WEP registrations page
- Provide all the details about your self
- For already registered businesses, the applicant can provide details of the business
WEP Women Transforming India Awards: Eligibility, Time-lines & How to apply?
- The award launched by the NITI Ayog and United Nations in India
- The award for women entrepreneurs who has challenged stereotypes and acted as a change agent through their businesses
- Women entrepreneurs themselves can apply or others can nominate as well
- Last date of nomination: 31st July 2018
- Guidelines and Evaluation criteria: CLICK HERE to download
- WTI Awards How to apply?
- CLICK HERE to register first on the WEP portal
- CLICK HERE to go to the WTI nominations page
- Provide all the details about the entrepreneur, business and the impact along with WEP registration ID
- Further details about the business and entrepreneur can be uploaded in a PDF file format
- Click on Submit button to complete the application process
Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP): Partners associated with WEP
- SIDBI
- CRISIL
- Mann Deshi Foundation
- WEE Foundation
- Dice Districts
- Facebook India
- NASSCOM
- ICAI
- Digital Leadership Institute
- Shoclues.com
- United Nations
- FICCI
- CCI
- Gen India
- Content Pixies
- Finsafe India
- Lee Keshav
- ALC India
- CoworkIn
Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP): Implementation & Highlights
- The WEP was launched on the Women’s Internationa Day 8th March 2018
- It is an initiative for the women in Indian aspiring to be entrepreneurs
- WEP is established under the leadership of Ms. Anna Roy, Advisor(Industry), Niti Aayog
- Financial legal assistance, mentoring, incubation, government schemes are provided on the platform
- WEP is built on the three pillars i.e Iccha Shakti, Gyaan Shakti & Karma Shakti
- A network of industry collaborations, partnerships, mentors and peer-to-peer connect too is provided through WEP platform
- For women-led startups the credit evaluation service are provided by partner CRISIL
- DICE districts established a fund of Rs 10 Crore through investment by potential equity
- WEP opens ups growth and opportunities for women entrepreneurs
- WEP partner Shopclues.com has offered a mentoring and internship
- Mann Deshi Foundation provides the digital and financial literacy to women entrepreneurs at WEP
- Other partners such as NASSCOM, FICCI, CII, SIDBI and Facebook India provides business acceleration along with, mentoring to women entrepreneurs
More Details & References
- Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) official website: wep.gov.in
- Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) Registreration
- Third Women Transforming India (WTI) Awards WEP Nominations
- Press Information Bureau, National Institution For Transforming India (NITI), Government of India
- Guidelines & Evaluation Criteria for the Third Women Transforming India (WTI) Awards
