empoWer: Accelerator program for women entrepreneurs

MUMBAI, INDIA: Mumbai based technology startup accelerator, Zone Startups India is launching a 6-week accelerator program - "empoWer" targeting the Women Entrepreneurs building technology ventures. 15 Women Entrepreneurs (or co-founders) will be shortlisted for the 6-week bespoke program.

The program participants will get access to mentoring, workshops, case studies of successful women led startups, industry connect, peer network, investor connect and  business development opportunities.

Zone Startups India will continue to support these women entrepreneurs for upto a year post-program. Additionally, there are several financial and non-financial opportunities that the participants will gain from the demo day, at the end of the program.

Ajay Ramasubramaniam - Director, Zone Startups India said, "The problems faced by a lot of women entrepreneurs is unique, and we feel that there is a case for having a dedicated accelerator program for women entrepreneurs - complete with mentoring, workshops, caste studies of successful women led startups, industry connect, peer network and investor connect".

Over its 26 months operations, Zone Startups India has accelerated 72 startups; 11 being co-founded by women entrepreneurs. 3 of these Women entrepreneurs have gone onto raise in excess of Rs 30 crores.

Zone Startups has partnered with Department of Science and Technology, GIZ,  Vodafone India, Google, Nishith Desai Associates, She The People TV, and Toronto-based women entrepreneur support organization, SheEO for this initiative.

The initiative will be launched with roadshows across Mumbai, Bangalore and NCR.