All you want to know about STEP’s Acceleration Program

What is STEP?

STEP (Shakti-The Empathy Project) is an acceleration program for women-led, early-stage startups creating social impact. We envision an India where all women social entrepreneurs are empowered. The program, launched in 2019, rests on five pillars: empathetic community, capacity building, mentorship, role modelling, and networking & funding opportunities.

To reach a wider audience, we are launching the program in Hindi. 

The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• The founder or at least one co-founder should identify herself as a woman.
• The applicants should be 18+ years of age- there is no upper limit.
• Your enterprise should be registered.
• The entrepreneur should be working towards social impact.

The applicants go through a rigorous selection process:

• Application review
• Team interview 
• Business plan review 
• Mentor conversation 
• Final selection 

What we offer

• Connect with a vibrant community of women entrepreneurs. 
• Access to constructive learning sessions.
• Expert guidance from supportive mentors.
• Create an effective pitch

About the Program:

STEP offers a 6- month hybrid program that comprises:

• Induction program– The selected founders get to know the STEP team and other participants. The interactive sessions include activities designed to build empathy and connect within the community.
• Learning and Mentor sessions: Participants are matched, according to their requirements, to the most appropriate mentors. The sessions encompass various topics that augment entrepreneurial skills like financial modelling, impact measurement, theory of change, etc.
• Pitchfest: At the end of 6 months, the startups present their pitches to an audience comprising investors, VCs, angels, women- focussed funds, philanthropists, and fellow cohort members.

STEP mentors

Our experienced mentors are experts in their fields and committed to women’s entrepreneurship. STEP ensures that the mentor-mentee match is appropriate to ensure maximum advantage to the participants.

Some of our esteemed mentors are Ms Suchetha Bhat ( CEO, Dream a dream), Ms Kriti Makhija Genesis ( CFO, Genesis BCW), Ms Liril Gupta ( CFO, Azim Premji Foundation), Ms Rashmi Gowda ( Founder and Co- CEO of Scoreleap Test Prep Pvt LTD), Jayashree Braganza ( Vice President, Board of Directors ICF Bengaluru Charter Chapter), and Pooja Goyal ( Co-Founder & COO, Avishkar) to name a few.

STEP Alumni

Three cohorts of 48 women entrepreneurs have graduated from STEP’s program. Our accomplished alumni include Namita Shah  ( Presolv360), Madhura Dasgupta Sinha

( Aspire For Her), Praapti Jayaswal (Aarogya AI), Aarti K.T ( Saadhya Trust for Social Development, Arti Dhar ( Farmers for Forests), Ganga Raj ( I love 9 months), Bhavana Issar (Caregiver Saathi), Sushmita Kaneri( Techpose), Priyal Keni( Play & Shine Foundation), Agneta Venkatraman (Esther), Chetna Singhania( Vartamaan Care Network), Swati Shah Gupta( Social Impact Strategy and Measurement Consultant, Excellerate Solutions), and many more accomplished founders.

The STEP Team

The STEP team is a group of committed individuals working towards a common goal of gender equity led by their founder, Ms Renu Shah, who has worked in the development sector for the past 20 years. She has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School.

How to apply 

• Go to www.shaktipreneurs.org/apply
• Fill the form
• Make sure the details are correct
• Press submit
• Breathe and smile

Do not let go of this life-changing opportunity! Applications for the program are open now.