Harshwardhan Wani

We are hosting tenured &amp; early-stage startups founded by Women Entrepreneurs to pitch their awesome startups, with our Banking Partner DBS Bank.Do not miss this glossy, golden opportunity, to witness a Pitch Event with Q&amp;AGet an opportunity to learn about Women Founders in the ecosystem and the impact they are trying to create.Agenda:<ol><li>Lightning Presentation by Women founders</li><li>Guest speaker session by Marque Startup Founder</li><li>Interactive Q&amp;A followed by post-meetup networking</li></ol>Note: The event is open for all to attend, Limited seats, first-come, first-serve

This initiative is exclusively for women entrepreneurs. "WE" want to to build a community of women entrepreneurs and take it to the next level by supporting and helping each other and eradicate a few barriers we face. 

Why an initiative exclusive for women?

Well, there has been a big debate among our team itself on the same question. Some of us supported the fact that entrepreneurship opportunities are rather the same for both genders, thereby questioning the need for an exclusive “Women Only” initiative/community while some opined otherwise. We hope that by the time you finish reading this blog, you will have some answers to it.

The facts

Women entrepreneurs may be defined as ‘Woman or a group of women who initiate, organize and run a business enterprise’. Government of India has defined women entrepreneurs based on women participation in equity and employment of a business enterprise. Accordingly, a woman-run enterprise is defined as ‘An enterprise owned and controlled by a woman having a minimum financial interest of 51% of the capital and giving at least 51% of the employment generated in the enterprise to women’. Women entrepreneurs constitute 10 % of all entrepreneurs in the country.

We might believe that the situation is a little better in the US, but even then, for every nine men raising equity financing to start and scale their businesses, only one woman does, according to a report by the National Women’s Business Council (US).

Women Entrepreneurs also fall into sub groups such as Homepreneurs, Mompreneurs and many more and every sub group has some specific needs. While ‘WE’ initiative will try to cover the larger goals of the community as a whole, we will also try our best to cater to the interests of the sub groups as well.

The problems

Something that has always bothered us is the low participation of women in the events that happen across the city. There are pitch events, co-founder search, founders’ mingle etc. and the sad reality is that typically 90% of the attendees are men. This happens for several reasons. We talked to few women who are running their business or aspiring to start one and here is what we heard:
“Most of the events are highly technology-centric while our businesses may not necessarily involve technology.”
“The comfort factor is missing in such gatherings dominated by men.”
“Many of these events are on weekdays and we can’t leave kids at home without supervision”
“We need peer support, preferably from women like us who have been able to start a venture given the similar circumstances of managing home and work.”
“We cannot attend 2 days hackathon leaving a toddler at home.
It is upsetting. While there is so much happening around us, women entrepreneurs are able to explore only a small fragment.”

We found this well-known but less talked about fact which happens to be an apt descriptionription of reality too:

“Business plan competitions and pitch forums are frequently about bravado and making ridiculous projections. Men excel at this. Women tend to be more conservative. This is the #1 complaint I get from the hundreds of women entrepreneurs I’ve interviewed,” said Vivek Wadhwa, academic, researcher, entrepreneur, and a vocal critic of the under funding of women-led companies by Silicon Valley (and a man). “When they [women] go to angel forums and the like, they feel intimidated and left out.”

What do ‘WE’ intend to do?
‘WE’ at Headstart Network
– want to sincerely put an effort to reduce some of these barriers and help women come out and explore in a community that helps, learns and grows together.
– want to infuse self confidence in first time women entrepreneurs so that they are able to headstart their journey with no constraints felt whatsoever.
– want the ecosystem to hear the needs of women entrepreneurs and support them.
– want not to compete, but complement and collaborate with existing women entrepreneur groups and initiatives.
– want to make the pie bigger for everyone!

How do ‘WE’ see the future?

Picture this.
An ecosystem which understands that if you are willing to start-up and have a family too, that is NOT a problem!
An accelerator that boasts of having your child taken care of in a day care while you work to make that awesome Product in INDIA.
Possibilities are immense. “WE” dream BIG.
“Dream BIG! If it offends someone, so what! Dream Bigger!” – Anonymous


WE Club

NCL Innovation Park

NCL Innovation park is great initiative by govt n academia to pramote talents within young minds. Such avenues are allowing youths to become entrepreneur in short span of time n subject space. Many known n unknown individuals striving for betterment of mankind are seen around this arena. Indeed nice park to zoom up.

For career boost and startup nourishment best place

NCL Innovation Park is one of the best Incubation Center in the Country.  They encourage innovation in the area of science & technology.  Incubators are provided end-to-end ecosystem to nurture their idea at fraction of a cost.  Mentoring is provided by some of the World's best Scientists such as Dr. Premnath Venugopal, Dr. Mrs. Manish Premnath and many others.

The innovation park runs several training & development programs throughout the year, for incubators.  They are also a nodal agency to distribute grants for certain projects that strengthens the science & technology stream.

The landscaped campus provides a serene, clam and pleasant environment.

Our firm, PeopleWiz Consulting LLP have been associated with NCL Innovation Park for over 5 years as their People Management Advisors and our journey with them has been enriching and rewarding.

India's best technology incubator for startup. One of the best place to start biotechnology or medtech startup.
They have good support system for budding entrepreneurs. The space is equipped with Chemistry (wet and dry) labs, Mechanical and Electronics workspaces etc. Just have to book a slot and opt for some membership.
They also organise workshops for entrepreneurs, kids, innovators etc.
Join their mailing list, it is helpful.

WeWin Pune - The Remarkable Women Founders By Headstart WE Club & DBS Bank

Subscribe to our Newsletter