Step Events: PitchFest, Graduation Day & Meetup

September was a busy and emotional month for STEP. We came to the completion of the 4-month incubation program and organized a PitchFest and Graduation for the outgoing cohort. 

We also organized our first physical meetup in Delhi for the STEP community.

Pitchfest: 24th September

The purpose of STEP Pitchfest is to provide a platform for Shaktipreneurs to showcase the work done by their startups. They get an honest assessment from STEP mentors who are experienced, ecosystem experts. This helps them improvise the work done by them.

STEP believes that Innovation has no language, and we started our Hindi Incubation program to help entrepreneurs who are more comfortable with Hindi. It was the 1st time that our Hindi cohort pitched.

19 Entrepreneurs from the Hindi and English cohort participated. The attendees were STEP mentors, STEP founder Ms. Renu Shah, the STEP team, and the startups.

OrganizationFounderSectorWork Done by the organizationEarth RakshakAksabanuWaste Management  Work with local government bodies to build efficient and sustainable solid waste management systems. Branny Enterprises Raeeza TameezWaste ManagementConvert tons of bran (waste generated from the milling industry) to single-use tableware and cutleries. Draupadi’s KitchenDebodyuti Das MandalFood TechA combination of cloud kitchen and QSR that provides homely, hygienic food at reasonable prices.
Hivericks Technologies Pvt LtdHemlatha RajeshCLEANTECHXOPTIMUS is an AI-Enabled, Intelligent, green charging solution for Li-Ion devices like laptops and phones.BluegreensSrishti JainAgri-TechIndia’s first DIFM Hydroponic company that makes access to healthy and nutritious vegetables easy.NarikshaMeghna RathoreHealth & GenderProvides organic sanitary pads made from agro and bio waste.SkillWyze Learning Solutions Riti SinhaEducation & EmployabilityIt is an employability skill development domain to create a full range of capabilities from cognitive to creative skills and prepare for the future for learners.Himalayan Hemp
Sonam SodhaHealth & GenderA Community of farmers, artisans, and innovators working together to preserve the indigenous variety of cannabis and hemp plants by creating eco-conscious products. Svabhiman Healthful Living POC Pvt LtdVidya Rajesh NairHealth & GenderHelping public toilets become STAR rated by cleaning effectively, process improvement, training, checking toilet conditions, footfall, and user feedback. The Light MissionKamalika BanerjeeChild SafetyAction & Awareness tool to bridge the gap between parent and child and teach them about safe-unsafe touch.Padmashakti ConsultancyPadma KumariGender EqualityTraining for SRHR, Diversity & Inclusion, Reproductive Health, Adolescent Health and Maternal Health, Gender & Child protection policy, POCSO, and POSH projects.
BETALESHaritha SivakumarEntertainment & MediaTeenage entertainment magazine is exclusively made to provide quality entertainment for Indian teenagers in a reading format.ArtistiquetaleNandini KumarLivelihood/HandicraftAims to bridge the gap between grass- root level artisans and the global markets through design intervention to increase market size and digital intervention.SunonaaSonali SinghMental HealthBuilding the largest emotional support system by inviting students, homemakers, and professionals to learn to listen and hold space for each other when they need someone to talk to through our online platform.Glome HealthtechMahitha B SMental HealthProviding healthcare to those suffering from mental health concerns.AyiBo Solutions Pvt LtdShefalika Loadha MisraEducation/TrainingOffers standardized and bespoke solutions & consulting services – offering industry-changing solutions using technology and out-of-the-box thinking.MeMawMamta JainHealth/GenderPostpartum healthcare products to eliminate mothers’ health issues post-childbirth for a stronger and healthier motherhood journey.ArivomAnitha MEducation/TrainingAfter-school intervention programs to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds meet the advanced academic requirements for higher education. Bharat GodamShruti MehataAgri- Logistics/TechBharat Godam is an Agri-Warehouse Management and Monitoring System with proper tracking of goods with the help of active RFID and sensor unit.

Every startup got a 10- minute slot that comprised :

•  2- minute pre-recorded pitch. 
• 8- minute Q&A and feedback from the judges.

The judges asked thought-provoking questions and gave valuable insights that helped the participants clear their vision. Ms.Renu thanked the mentors for putting their time in guiding the womenpreneurs and helping them grow.

 She concluded the exciting event with an inspiring address.

 “As women, we need double the courage and determination to pursue our dreams, but once we take the step, there is no looking back,” she said.

Graduation Day: 28th September

The fourth cohort of STEP graduates on September 28th. The evening started with the shared purpose of the cohort.

“To build a strong, inclusive ecosystem of empathetic and resilient women entrepreneurs addressing social issues through an interactive and collaborative approach to upskill ourselves in the softer and harder aspects of running a business with the help of experts and mentors from the STEP community.”

Feedback is an important tool for effective communication. We asked the cohort to share their 4-month experience with STEP through a feedback form.

The next segment was thanksgiving by the cohort to STEP in the form of a Reflection video and book.

The Reflection book started with the caption,” You have helped us see the hope within ourselves. “

The cohort shared an emotional recollection of their takeaways from the program and mentoring sessions, their thoughts on the STEP Team, and their message for aspiring entrepreneurs.

In the video, they described the STEP experience in one word. Evolving, Fantastic, Saarthi, and Empowering were the words they used.

The next segment was for the fun awards- the Maska Awards, in which each member of the cohort received titles from STEP  according to their personality. ” Ms. Doubtfire”, and “Ms. Eager Beaver” were some of the awards they received.

STEP founder gave a beautiful farewell to the outgoing cohort in her address.

“Our work has allowed us to get to know some of the most wonderful and passionate women in the world. We are very emotional because this moment forces us to pause and reflect on the value of our work.” Renu Shah.

The event ended with a promise of complete support to the outgoing cohort from STEP.

Meetup: 30th September 

In covid, we discovered the option of virtual meetings, but a physical one provides greater networking and collaborative opportunities.

STEP organized a much-awaited physical meetup for its community in Delhi. It was a fabulous event that witnessed the coming together of STEP trustees, mentors, Alumni, the team, and the graduating cohort. 

 Ms.Renu kickstarted the event with a welcome address. “The atmosphere is reverberating with the energy of women determined to make a difference. Nothing can hold us back,” she said.

She added that mentorship and support will definitely help in augmenting the number of women entrepreneurs in the social impact sector in India.

She announced STEP’s registration as an incubator under the Startup India scheme.

She extended full support to the eligible and interested womenpreneurs throughout the application process to make sure they avail of the seed fund.

Next was a musical program by Manzil Mystics (Co-founded by Shaktipreneur Reshma)- a Delhi-based registered nonprofit organization that is working in the field of education, music training, and development using music as an instrument of social change.

The band offered a beautiful ode to STEP in the form of a song in an overwhelming performance. The song lyrics reflected the feelings of Shaktipreneurs for STEP.

Their performance was much appreciated, and many of the attendees connected with the band for performing at their events.

It was now time for meaningful interactions, conversations, and opportunities. 

The lovely evening ended with the promise of many more such events shortly.