IIM Bangalore's Women Startup Programme picks 15 new biz ideas

The NS Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL), at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and Goldman Sachs today selected 15 women entrepreneurs and their ideas for incubation over next year as the final phase of its Women Startup Programme.

This is a Goldman Sachs-backed customised online and classroom training programme designed to grow next generation of female entrepreneurs, Goldman Sachs said in a statement.

The 15 women selected to incubate (their ideas) at IIMB will receive a fellowship of Rs 40,000 per month, while they further develop their business ideas.

"Since 2008, through our 10,000 women initiatives, Goldman Sachs has been investing globally and in India in the economic empowerment of women through education and access to capital," Goldman Sachs (India) Chairman and co-CEO Sonjoy Chatterjee said.

"The innovative business ideas developed through this mass outreach online and classroom programme reflect the entrepreneurial talent in India and the tremendous potential of women entrepreneurs," he said.

Launched in November 2016, the women startup programme drew more than 1,700 aspiring female entrepreneurs from across the country for a five-week online course focused on encouraging women to identify and test their business ideas.

Afterwards, 50 women entrepreneurs were selected to attend a three-week boot camp at IIMB to enable each to develop a "problem-solution" methodology for comprehending the success and sustainability of their ventures.