From corruption in the healthcare system to lack of trained professionals and existing social beliefs about ambulances, Shweta has fought them all to build an organization that is today known by its emergency code – 1298.

Nominated in TiE Stree Shakti ’09 : Medium Enterprise

Aptsource has defined and implemented the innovative concept of open source commercialization through software assembling. The company firmly believes that there is no more point in trying to build software from scratch. Aptsource’s proprietary integration framework coupled with a plethora of pre-built components that can be improvised, re-architected, extended and assembled into complete business solutions make complex application integration seem easy. Quitting a full time job to found her own company was a struggle for Manisha. However, strong support from her family and friends, helped her build a strong enterprise that is today one of the known players in its field of work.

Nominated in TiE Stree Shakti ’09 : Medium Enterprise

The company chose to do creative work for the West at a time when no one believed this could be done in India. Over the years the company transformed itself from doing creative work from India for the U.S./U.K. to developing innovative education products for these markets . The company is now looking at taking these products to the Indian and other developing markets.
Being a pioneer in its line of business, Q2amedia faced all the problems a young company does. From lack of initial funding to the skepticism meted out by the West to Indian entities, the company faced it all. On the personal front, Gayatri faced severe family opposition as the organization was initially spending more than what it was earning. However, each time the organization fell, it decided to lift itself up. Through ceaseless commitment and dedication, the company has to some extent achieved its objectives and plans to expand in other horizons soon

Nominated in TiE Stree Shakti ’09 : Medium Enterprise

Nominated in TiE Stree Shakti ’09 : Micro Enterprise

Nominated in TiE Stree Shakti ’09 : Micro Enterprise

Apart from being complimented by workshops, the website provides education on various topics in Business study. Or e.g., assessing oneself on leadership skills, a sample financial business model, tips on effective appraisals and interviewing, finance for CEOs, attracting funding, making a business plan, effective strategizing etc.

The site also publishes articles about any events which aim to encourage entrepreneurship. One such article is by Anjana Vivek about the Management Programme For Women Entrepreneurs (MPWE), held on April 15^th, 2009 at IIMB, Bangaluru. This year saw ,more than 130 women members, from India and outside the country, be enthusiastic participants. They were a mix of entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, those curious about entrepreneurship and some other who were still undecided.

The sessions at MPWE, included workshops, seminars and several networking events as well. The goal was to emphasise that women entrepreneurs take a different career path than those of men. This is out of choice or due to necessity. The participants interacted with other entrepreneurs and MPWE alumni and listened to their entrepreneurial journey, asked questions about their decision to embark on such a journey , the joys and challenges they faced , the roadblocks they encountered in business, especially in the ongoing recession and how they overcame them.

Or more information, please contact Prof. Ganesh Prabhu ( Course Director), at gprabhu at IIMB.ERNET dot IN or call him at 0-984-417-5078.

The objective of TSS is to create a platform to enable aspiring, budding and growing Women Entrepreneurs in the MSME space, by rendering conceptual but practical business orientation/training, mentoring and access to an entrepreneurial eco-system. These women who have overcome societal pressures and gender warfare to realize their dream of running their own enterprise.

Present at the Launch were Anita Ramachandran, Shikha Sharma, Farzana Haque, Sridar Iyengar and Shilpi Kapoor. They spoke about the need for sucha platform for women who have taken the first step and need a steady hand to support and guide them further.

TiE Stree Shakti seeks to reflect the growing role of women in the Indian entrepreneurial eco-system. The theme will be celebratory - ?Enabling/Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs in India?.

Entrepreneurs of Handicrafts sector of West Bengal on 9th April, 2009 at the Auditorium of West Bengal Handicrafts Fair 2009, Kolkata.

The Seminar was held in association wit the Directorate of Small Scale Enterprises, Government of West Bengal.

The objective of the Seminar was to reach out to the Bottom of Pyramid women entrepreneurs of the districts of West Bengal in the Handicrafts sector, to give them an opportunity to participate in TiE Stree Shakti programme.

Addressing the Seminar, Mr. Paresh Rajda,Director, Rajda Exports & Charter Member,TiE Kolkata spoke about the tremendous value addition to the society through woman entrepreneurship.He felt that women, being excellent managers by nature, could become ideal entrepreneurs, if given the right opportunity, and women entrepreneurship could grow by leaps and bounds. He also cited the examples of SHGs run by women, with particular reference to

Mahila Swarojgar Udyog, Sri Ramkrishna Ashram, Nimpath (Sunderbans). Speaking on the occasion, Mr. A K Talukdar, AGM & Head SME II, State Bank of India informed the participants about the SBI Stree Shakti package. He motivated the women entrepreneurs to come forward to avail of the facilities.He also mentioned about the Artisans? Credit Card, particularly meant for the micro artisans.

The credit card meant release of funds to a maximum of Rs. 2 lakhs for handicrafts people. Mr. Talukdar mentioned about the excellent work done by the Self Help Groups (SHG), with almost 100% women membership, and their good track record and loan sanction and recovery.

Speaking on ?The Journey of a Woman Entrepreneur?, Smt. Reena Dhar of Sarsuna Ankur, an all-woman organisation spoke about her personal experiences in her entrepreneurial venture. She felt that often great entrepreneurial ideas got nipped in the bud, as in her entrepreneurial journey, a woman had to face several difficulties, including economic, cultural and social problems. However, things were changing for the better, she maintained.

Mr. Kuldip Maity, Managing Director, Village Financial Services (P) Ltd, a micro finance organisation for women entrepreneurs spoke about the prospects of Micro Finance for women.

Earlier, the concept of TiE Stree Shakti (TSS) was introduced by Ms. Munmun Banerjee, Associate Director of TiE Kolkata. She mentioned about the objectives of TSS and invited the participants of the Seminar to take part in the competition.

The Seminar invoked much enthusiasm amongst the target audience.