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IN THIS ISSUE
From the Founder’s Pen
Program Updates
Invitation- Dhanotsav,
Special Screening
STEP Participates- V4Her
Event
STEPper Spotlight- Minakshi
Karwal & STEPpers selection at Standford Seed Spark Program
Straight from Our Social Media Feed
Flagship Program- UnPollute’25
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The second quarter at STEP has been a flurry of activity, and I’m thrilled to share some exciting updates with you.
We launched
Safal Karobar – Making Rural Women Entrepreneurship Aspirational in association with Development Alternatives (DA) in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Through this initiative, we onboarded
190 rural women and organized hands-on workshops covering leadership, financial management, business planning, digital media skills, and an introduction to ONDC.
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Ms. Reinu Shah
Founder - STEP
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Watching these women not only learn the basics but also put them into action in their businesses – and see real benefits
– has been deeply rewarding.We also had the privilege of showcasing Safal Karobar and
UnPollute at the VForHer event at the India Habitat Centre, alongside inspiring leaders like Ms. Smriti Irani, Ms. Pratibha Jain (Eversource), Ms. Anna Roy (NITI Aayog), Ms. Kanta Singh (UN Women) and others.
Now, we’re gearing up for
UnPollute – 2025, with renewed energy and vision. We’re building on the momentum of the last edition to create more opportunities, amplify unheard voices, and shape a more inclusive, sustainable future. Thank you for being part of this journey — your
support continues to fuel our mission at STEP.
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Safal Karobar is a pioneering STEP initiative dedicated to establishing a robust ecosystem of financially independent
women entrepreneurs in rural India and tier-3 cities. As the country’s first platform offering exclusive media visibility to rural women, it is making rural women entrepreneurship both accessible and aspirational.
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Pilot in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
In partnership with Development Alternatives (DA), the program engaged 190 women-repreneurs across Babina and Badagaon
blocks of Jhansi.
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Workshops that Empower:
STEP delivered 200+ hours of hands-on training in leadership, business planning, bookkeeping, digital media tools like Canva, and market access.
Safal Karobar is not just about business growth - it’s about rewriting what’s possible for women in rural
India.
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Observed Immediate Outcomes
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Reported immediate growth, including higher sales orders and stronger online engagement
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Unlocked their leadership potential & stepped into stronger roles within their business
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Gained confidence in digital tools
enabling them to design & post content using Canva, Facebook & WhatsApp
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Dhanotsav – Sapno Ka Mahaotsav
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From the inspiring cohort of Safal Karobar, finalists were selected to present their ideas at
Dhanotsav - Sapno Ka Mahaotsav. These women-preneurs were mentored and trained to pitch before an external jury. Their pitches were professionally recorded, followed by the announcement of seed grants for three winners and consolation prizes to support
other promising ventures.
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Intended Impact:
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Expanded visibility for finalists’ ventures, attracting customer inquiries beyond their local communities
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Enhanced confidence in pitching and promoting their businesses to diverse audiences
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Inspiration for aspiring rural women entrepreneurs, showcasing what is possible through determination, skill,
and support
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Follow our dedicated “Dhanotsav” channel for success stories, program updates, and the journeys of these remarkable
entrepreneurs.
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Invitation: Dhanotsav Special Screening
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We are delighted to invite you to the special screening of
Dhanotsav - Sapno Ka Mahaotsav, India’s first-ever pitch platform to bring grassroots women-preneurs and their ventures on screen. Witness their journeys come alive through the recorded pitches, powerful documentaries, and heartfelt moments.
This special screening is more than an event - it’s a chance to celebrate and meet our first cohort of women entrepreneurs
who are rewriting the story of rural enterprise in India.
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STEP at the We4Her Event – India Habitat Centre
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On
July 26, STEP participated in the We4Her event, organized by Everstone, Eversource, and WeforHer Foundation at the India Habitat Centre. The event focused on catalyzing women-led entrepreneurship and reimagining inclusive, thriving cities.
A proud highlight for us was the STEP team’s one-on-one interaction with
Ms. Smriti Irani — an inspiring moment that energized us. Dynamic panel discussions explored gender-inclusive infrastructure, safer mobility, financing for women-led ventures, and stronger policy frameworks.
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STEP’s founder,
Reinu Shah, brought powerful grassroots perspectives to the stage, spotlighting our key initiatives -
UnPollute and Safal Karobar as shining examples of women-led innovation in climate action and rural entrepreneurship. We were equally proud to see our
STEPpers — Nishita Mittal, Minakshi Karwal, Shivani Jain, and others — make the most of the invaluable exposure and networking opportunities at this landmark gathering.
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Celebrating
STEPper
Minakshi Karwal’s Recognition!
Congratulations to
Minakshi Karwal, founder of Bhu Unnati, on receiving a well-deserved recognition from Delhi
Chief Minister Ms. Rekha Gupta at an event organized by The Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE)!
Bhu Unnati is transforming waste into value by producing chemical-free, nutrient-rich vermicompost made from lawn waste
and cattle manure for improving soil health, boosting water retention, and reducing irrigation needs.
With STEP’s support, Minakshi had secured the SISFS grant of ₹6 lakhs and received mentorship, helping her strengthen
their business model and expand visibility. She had also represented her venture at Startup Mahakumbh. Moments like these remind us why we do what we do - seeing our entrepreneurs build with purpose and create lasting change!
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Stanford Seed Spark Updates
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We’re proud to share that 3 STEppers were selected for the 11th cohort of the Stanford Seed Spark program. We can’t
wait to see what this dynamic cohort achieves!
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Vidula Tade
Founder - KultureKatta
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Mrinalini Ahuja
Founder - Covergrow Digital Solutions Pvt Ltd
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Aniket Tandan
Founder – Shree SK Foods & Agro Industry
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Straight from Our Social Media Feed
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Catch some highlights from our recent activities and stories shared online
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One Market. Two Startups. Two Very Different Endings.
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Swiggy and TinyOwl started in the same space—but only one became a household name.
Hint: It wasn’t just about funding—it was about solving the right problem first. As
TinyOwl’s co-founder Shubham Bansal reflects, “Any other criticism of startups says more about the critic than the one who tried building.”
Do we judge failed startups too harshly?
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Leading with Heart: The Empathy Advantage
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The Empathy Advantage by Heather E. McGowan and Chris Shipley isn’t just a book—it’s a leadership wake-up call
for our purpose-driven world.
Gone are the days of command and control. Today, it’s all about empowered, values-aligned teams led by those who listen and adapt.
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India’s only conclave dedicated to women entrepreneurs in climate action is back
Bigger. Bolder. Braver.
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Explore
More: Visit our official webpage for details, updates, and registration
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What’s Happening at UnPollute’ 2025
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 Investor Roundtable & Networking
 Thematic Side Events & Deep-Dive Sessions
 Live Pitching + Awards for Top Startups
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Copyright (C) *|2024* *|STEP|*. All rights reserved
Our mailing address
D-201, AMC, Ghaziabad (UP) 201014
Contact Us- +91 96670-55377
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4-week Hybrid Incubation Program
1:1 Mentorship with Experts
Residential Bootcamp for Founders
