TiE Global, today launched AIRSWEE “All-India Road Show on Women’s Economic Empowerment through Entrepreneurship,” a new program to unleash value creation amongst aspiring young women in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India. Under Project AIRSWEE, TiE Global will conduct 5 workshops in 5 cities in India, which include Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Warangal (Andhra Pradesh), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Nagpur (Maharashtra) and Durgapur (West Bengal).
After successful incorporation of AIRSWEE in Warangal, Tie Global has now hosted a 4-day AIRSWEE in Coimbatore followed by tour to other cities.
The four-day workshop which commenced on February 27th at Hotel Taj Vivanta is fully funded by US Mission in India and US department of State. Close to 150 registrations were received from women across Tamil Nadu, out of which 25 aspiring women were selected to participate in AIRSWEE.
The participants were given training on various aspects of entrepreneurship by US based Senior Mentor Seema Chaturvedi, Chairwoman of Project AIRSWEE and a former member of TiE Global's Board of Trustees, Komal Goyal Managing Partner 6e Technologies and India based Mentor Hemalatha Annamalai, Founder and CEO of Ampere Vehicles Pvt.Ltd.
Seema Chaturvedi, Chairwoman of Project AIRSWEE has stated that 'The objective of the workshop is to empower aspiring young women in Tier II and Tier III cities in India. Empowering potential women entrepreneurs is a great way to boost economic growth. Project AIRSWEE can motivate and encourage women entrepreneurs to transform problems into opportunities and derive apt entrepreneurial solutions. By mentoring and empowering Women entrepreneurs through this programme, if we could create two unicorns, it means great success. The content for the workshop in each city is customized according to the participants.
All participants here will be mentored and guided thoroughly on business development, marketing strategies etc., .These 25 women entrepreneurs who undergo this mentoring programme can create a rippling effect by transforming the knowledge they gained from this programme to other aspiring women entrepreneurs'.
Hemalatha Annamalai, Founder and CEO of Ampere Vehicles Pvt.Ltd elaborated on the selection criteria of candidates for the workshop. 'It was indeed over-whelming to receive applications from women involved in various genres. Hence, the process of shortlisting was very tough. Participants were selected based on their demonstration of interest in entrepreneurship. Education qualification was not looked at but their passion for doing something extraordinary was the key thing.
The selected participants are from diverse socio economic background. When questioned if mentoring or financing plays a crucial role in success of entrepreneurs? Hemalatha said 'Mentoring does not happen in one go, every day as they progress in their business they encounter new things. As they progress, they tend to grasp new things and gain practical knowledge on the subject. But funding is a gradual process. But these days funding is not a big issue because lot of schemes have been introduced to support budding entrepreneurs'.
Dr.Craig L. Dicker, Counsellor for Cultural Affairs ,Embassy of United States of America , New Delhi who was present for the workshop remarked that "We are happy to have partnered with TiE Global and TiE Coimbatore in conducting AIRSWEE workshop in Coimbatore. A vibrant, dynamic eco-system will evolve if women take a central role in entrepreneurial sector'.
One of the participant, Sathya Sundari who hails from a rural place in Tiruvannamalai district expressed that 'I am doing jewelry-making business and I came to know about AIRSWEE through my friend. Prior to attending this workshop I was completely blank on marketing my goods but now after these sessions and guidance by experts, I have gained practical and feasible ideas regarding marketing strategies'.
All the 25 participants were provided with one year complimentary TiE membership at TiE Coimbatore Chapter. After the completion of the workshop in all five cities, 5 participants will be selected who will be provided meticulous mentoring by experts for an additional 6 months.