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Women Entrepreneurs
MSME-focused fintech Progcap on Tuesday said it has launched a programme to offer collateral-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh to women-led small and medium enterprises in the next three years. The fintech, which is backed by Peak XV (previously Sequoia Capital India), Google and Tiger Capital, among others, seeks to empower 10,000 women-led MSMEs in semi-urban and rural India by FY27, Progcap said in a statement. "Progcap has introduced ProgShakti Development Program, wherein women entrepreneurs can access loans of up to Rs 10 lakh and get certified through capacity-building knowledge sessions helping them grow their businesses," it said. Aligned with the government's 'Viksit Bharat' vision for 2047 and the goal of increasing women's workforce participation to 70 per cent, Progcap's initiative offers customised credit to women-led enterprises and eliminates the need for a male co-applicant while assessing the creditworthiness, Progcap said. Founded by Pallavi Shrivastava and Himanshu
Women are the foundation of the family, society and the nation and many of them have successfully carved out their identities in diverse fields but a lot needs to be done to improve their socio-economic conditions, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday. In a message on the eve of International Women's Day, the president extended her greetings to "all sisters and daughters" and called the day an occasion to honour the achievements of women power and their unique contribution to the country and society. Women are the foundation of the family, society and the nation and many women have successfully carved out their identities in diverse fields despite facing adversities and challenges, Murmu said. "However, a lot needs to be done to improve the socio-economic conditions of women. Let us all pledge to create a society where every woman feels safe and gets equal opportunities to move ahead," she said. The president also congratulated all women achievers and wished them a bright future
Around 80 per cent of women-led businesses encounter difficulties with international payments, while 60 per cent struggle with complex regulatory compliances, according to a report. Despite their increasing role in the economy, women-led enterprises constitute just 15.4 per cent of India's 58.5 million businesses, the report on growing ambitions of women entrepreneurs in cross-border trade stated. The report stated that a poll of more than 300 women entrepreneurs highlighted four major challenges, including international payments and compliances, that women face while expanding their businesses globally. Around 60 per cent of women entrepreneurs struggle with export laws, trade regulations, and complex compliance requirements, the report prepared by Aspire For Her and payment solutions provider Payoneer said. Limited access to financial resources and supply chain & logistics issues are the other major challenges, it added. "Many women entrepreneurs face funding shortages and ...
Indian women hosts, almost 30 per cent of Airbnb hosts in the country, have earned Rs 260 crore in 2024, shaping the future of hospitality with inclusivity and economic opportunities. Women in India cumulatively earned approximately Rs 260 crore through hosting, with over 56 per cent receiving 5-star reviews from guests, Airbnb said in a statement. Almost 35 per cent of guest's favourite listings in India are hosted by women, showcasing their excellence in hospitality, it added. "Our data shows that women hosts are delivering exceptional hospitality while achieving financial independence, and women travellers are increasingly exploring the world with confidence. This International Women's Day, we recognise that we must collectively accelerate our efforts. "By empowering women hosts and travellers, we're committed to creating a more equitable future for the generations to come," Airbnb's Country Head for India and Southeast Asia Amanpreet Singh Bajaj said in a statement. Not just .
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday said an industrial park exclusively for women entrepreneurs would be set up in the state. Attending the plenary session on women entrepreneurship enabled by 'Subhadra' on the second day of the 'Utkarsh Odisha, Make in Odisha Conclave, 2025' here on Wednesday, Majhi said a special cell for women entrepreneurs will also be opened at the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL). "I want to make two announcements to promote women in entrepreneurship. First, the government has decided to open an industrial park exclusively for women and the second is opening of a special cell for women at IPICOL," Majhi said. The CM said that he was hopeful that these two measures will encourage women to start business independently. He also sought suggestions from women business leaders on how to further raise women's participation in business. The session prepares a roadmap to shape the future of 'Subhadra' industr
The representation of women on the boards of India's top 100 companies has significantly improved over the past four years, with only five firms lacking a woman independent director as of March 2024, according to a survey released on Monday. The 5th Annual Corporate Governance Survey by Excellence Enablers are based on the annual reports and website disclosures of Nifty 100 companies. As of March 31, 2024, five companies, including four public sector undertakings (PSUs) and one public sector bank (PSB), did not have a woman independent director on their boards. While this is an improvement compared to 21 such companies in FY 2021, the persistent lapses highlight the need for stricter enforcement, the survey revealed. While having at least one woman independent director (ID) on boards has been mandated under Section 149 of the Companies Act, 2013, and Sebi's LODR regulations, there is no similar provision to ensure that women executives are nurtured to graduate to board positions, ..
About 350 businesswomen and entrepreneurs from across the country are taking part in a four-day interstate meet of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), being hosted by FLO's North-East chapter in Guwahati and Shillong for the first time. The meet, titled 'Mystical NorthEast', got underway here on Thursday, a statement said. The interstate meet of the women wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCIFLO) is an annual event organised by the different chapters of the organisation in various parts of the country. FLO has 20 chapters across India. The first two days of the ongoing meet are being held in Guwahati and the remaining two days in Shillong. The meet includes an amalgamation of intellectually stimulating discussions, entertainment and networking and also a blend of learning sessions. A major highlight of the meet is an exhibition 'FLO Bazar' showcasing local art, handloom, weaves and traditional culture, the statement said. "The Interstate Meet is a
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday said his government is moving ahead with plans to make one crore members of women self-help groups (SHGs) "crorepatis" by involving them in various business activities. Speaking after the inauguration of the "Indira Mahila Shakti Bazar" of women SHGs here in the evening along with Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Reddy said his government is implementing various schemes for the welfare of women, including free travel for them in state-run buses, supplying LPG cylinders for Rs 500, free power supply up to 200 units for the poor, stitching clothes for students and "Indira Mahila Shakti" canteens. The government is also allotting solar power plants to SHGs, he added. The total number of members in SHGs at present is 65 lakh and it should become one crore, the chief minister said. "It is your responsibility to make it one crore. It is my responsibility to make one crore (women) crorepatis," he said. Next year, he would visit the 10 undivi
The Culture Ministry said on Wednesday that the 'Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan', which was launched in 2022, has created employment opportunities for thousands of women associated with self-held groups (SHGs), which have increasingly taken over flag production to meet the massive demand. Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan said approximately 25 crore flags are needed annually and the production has shifted from large vendors to SHGs, turning them into a thriving industry as they now produce and sell most of the national flags. He said when the programme was first launched in 2022 as part of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there was a significant challenge in meeting the demand for flags. To address this, the central government procured national flags from large vendors and distributed approximately 7.5 crore flags to the states, directly and through post offices, he noted in a statement, adding that the government also revised the Flag Code of .