TiE Stree Shakti (TSS), a movement that aims to connect and enable enterprising women from different socio-economic
strata through a series of on-ground focus activities that are driven by TiE’s core philosophy of mentoring, education,
inspiration and networking. TiE Stree Shakti was conceived & launched by TiE Mumbai in 2009 is committed to celebrate
& enable these ‘Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs in India’.
TSS is spearheaded by a power panel of accomplished and successful enterprising women. The following are key
initiatives undertaken to enable women entrepreneurs:
- On-ground focused activities for Women Entrepreneurs across various TiE Chapters viz. ‘Chat over Chai’ – a
monthly chat with a Women leader/entrepreneur, ‘Can I Dream Big’ –a series of workshops focused on scaling
women enterprise, ‘Business Guidance Camps’ and ‘Group Mentoring Programs’ to mentor women entrepreneurs.
Now implemented there is also a Business Guidance Hotline.
- Annual conference for women entrepreneurs that aims to educate, mentor and enable enterprising women
- Annual award ceremony that aims to recognise, encourage and celebrate enterprising women entrepreneurs.
The initiative found its origins in the GEM (Grassroot Entrepreneurship Monitor) study commissioned by The Indus
Entrepreneurs (TiE) Mumbai and conducted by the India Consulting Group in 2006. The study identified an urgent
need to provide education, mentoring, inspiration and networking opportunities to budding women entrepreneurs in
the MSME (Micro, Small, Medium Enterprise) segment.
To plug this gap, in 2007 a focused Women’s Special Interest Group was conceptualized and established by TiE to reach
out, educate and mentor women who run micro, medium and large-scale enterprises across the manufacturing, services
and social sectors. On 9th March 2009 the initiative was formally titled ‘TiE Stree Shakti’ (TSS) as a salute to the growing
role of women in the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem. Its mandate was to serve as a platform to recognize women who
have broken the glass ceiling and enable aspiring women entrepreneurs to overcome societal and gender disparity to
realize their dream of running their own enterprise successfully.
ICICI Bank has signed up as the principal sponsor for the Conference & Award 2011.
Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PWC) has signed up as Process Partners for the awards definition and selection process.
