All about WINGS Challenge 2022
Everything begins with an idea! From the wheel developed by primitive humans to Artificial Intelligence, things and technologies have evolved from ideas. For great ideas to become a reality we need to act, experiment, fail, adapt, and learn. Successful companies like Microsoft, Uber, Swiggy, Amazon- all started with an idea.
Aspiring entrepreneurs might have great ideas but need reassurance that they are in the right direction. The purpose of idea validation is to ensure that their product or business idea has potential. Mentors and other developers can guide them in taking the correct steps for developing their ideas into successful endeavours.
While many Indian women have ambitions towards entrepreneurship, they find it difficult to succeed due to a lack of opportunities and deep-rooted socio-cultural biases. It might seem surprising, but it is a fact that women-led enterprises earn 10% more in cumulative revenue for five years as compared to men but unfortunately in India, only 1 out of 10 entrepreneurs is a woman.
Self-made Indian women entrepreneurs and founders Falguni Nayar ( Founder of Nykaa), Kiran Mazumdar Shaw ( Biocon Limited), Upasna Taku( Mobikwik) are some of the examples of women excelling in the field of entrepreneurship. They all started with an idea, had the grit and determination to make them work, and look at where they are now!
If we want to see India turning into a 5 trillion-dollar economy, it is time to discard the theory that supporting women is a social agenda and accept that it is an economic one.
WINGS or Women Ideation Network for Growth and Support ( powered by STEP) is a platform for women ideators to get support and validation for their ideas. It aims to give wings to their dreams!
What is WINGS Challenge?
WINGS Challenge is an idea pitching competition for aspiring women entrepreneurs who have identified a gap or want to solve a problem, have a solution for it, and want to develop it into a startup.
Who can apply?
Any 18 + person residing in India who is a woman or identifies herself as a woman and has an idea can apply for the WINGS Challenge.
The applicants can apply for ideas in 3 broad categories:
- Technology
- General
- Social Impact
How to apply?
- Visit our website: www.shaktipreneurs.org
- Click on the yellow band on the top of the website that is the link to the form.
- Or directly go on to: https://bit.ly/3u2sKhf
- Fill out the form.
- Add your recorded 2-minute pitch in a video format. Videos could be either in English or Hindi language.
The Last Date to apply is 28th February.
What are the benefits of applying for the WINGS Challenge?
WINGS Challenge will provide aspiring women entrepreneurs with a safe space to vocalize their ideas and realize their potential. Apart from that, the other benefits are:
- Seed funding up to Rs. 1 lakh for the top 6 winners.
- Mentorship to winners by industry experts.
- Access to a community that is a part of the startup ecosystem.
- Access to learning sessions
Follow us on social media for regular updates on the challenge and other exciting events on the gender-focused ecosystem by STEP.
Website: www.shaktipreneurs.org
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shaktitheempathyproject
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmpathyShakti?t=J2JeVBQ14OMYCHf-7X3NEg&s=09
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shaktichallenge
Instagram: https://instagram.com/shaktitheempathyproject?utm_medium=copy_link
WINGS CHALLENGE is organised by STEP (Shakti -The Empathy Project).