Zone Startups to launch accelerator for women entrepreneurs

Mumbai-based technology startup accelerator Zone Startups is launching a first-of-its-kind six-week programme 'empoWer' to support women entrepreneurs who are building technology ventures.
Set up as an international footprint of the Toronto-based Ryerson University and the BSE Institute of BSE, Zone Startups India is supported by Department of Science and Technology.
For the 'empoWer' initiative, ZoneStartups India has partnered Department of Science and Technology, Germany's GIZ, Vodafone India, Google, Nishith Desai Associates, She The People TV and SheEO -- a Toronto-based women entrepreneur support organisation.
"Through our accelerator programme and various bootcamps, workshops, demo days hosted by us, we realised the need for a focused programme that works with women entrepreneurs in tech businesses. The problems faced by a lot of women entrepreneurs is unique, and we feel that there is a case for having a dedicated accelerator programme for women entrepreneurs," Ajay Ramasubramaniam, Director, Zone Startups India, said.

The programme participants will get access to mentoring, workshops, case studies of successful women-led startups, industry connect, peer network, investor connect and business development opportunities, he added.
The 'empoWer' initiative will be launched with roadshows across Mumbai, Bangalore and NCR for attracting applications.

Fifteen Women Entrepreneurs (or co-founders) will be shortlisted for the six-week customised programme, Zone Startups
said.
Over its 26 months operations, Zone Startups India has accelerated the growth of 72 startups. Eleven of these are being co-founded by women entrepreneurs, while three of these women entrepreneurs have gone on to raise in excess of Rs 30 crore in funding, the accelerator said.

Zone Startups India will continue to support these women entrepreneurs for up to a year post-programme.