Women Startup Program 2020
The Women Startup Program aims to support ambitious and innovative women entrepreneurs by enabling them to transform their idea into a business venture. First ideated with Goldman Sachs in 2016 , the Program is designed to focus on enhancement of the entrepreneurial and managerial skills of women leading early and ideation stage ventures.
The Program provides business knowledge for the entrepreneurs to build on their idea in the initial stage through Massive Open Online Course. The Program then progresses by offering selected candidates a 2 month virtual Launchpad Program where entrepreneurs will undergo business training to develop their prototype. Finalists are selected to be a part of Incubation at NSRCEL where they will focus on developing their product and scaling up. The Program is fully sponsored by Goldman Sachs.
Partners
Testimonials

“Kutuki's journey began at NSRCEL. At the time that we were incubated we were still at the idea stage. It was at NSRCEL that we built our team, fleshed out our product and launched our MVP. The mentors and faculty members are extremely approachable and just a call or message away in case you need a connect or have a doubt. Through the network of entrepreneurs incubated here you get access to real world insights and innovative approaches for everything from marketing, building technology to fund raising. NSRCEL also provides a bunch of opportunities that you can leverage keeping in mind your business needs. I got a chance to travel to Israel and interact with Founders from some promising Ed-Tech startups who are building cutting edge tools to personalise learning and provide meaningful insights. Opportunities like these push your thinking and give you ideas that you may have not thought of before. We are very grateful to be part of the NSRCEL community.”

‘'THINKING LIKE AN ENTREPRENEUR' is the best thing that I have got from being a part of the whole ecosystem at NSRCEL. The ability to see obstacles, problems and failures in a whole new perspective that makes one overcome them with confidence, has not just benefitted my venture, but also me as an individual!
The openness to accept new ideas and the proficiency of the mentors to identify our potential gave me a huge validation in taking my venture to the next level, especially in a very unconventional sector - Theatre.
"An year ago, I didn't know, if this was an idea that could sell. If I have more than an idea now, It is only because of NSRCEL"

“Idea comes to everyone, anywhere and anytime but converting that into a working business is a real but enriching process. I learnt that very process at the Women Startup Program in NSRCEL. It was right from envisioning the idea I had back then to testing the MVP to getting that really hard first customer, learning to pivot and all the way onto a full-fledged team of 9 from just 1 person”.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
If one of the co-founders is a female and above the age of 18, and fully dedicated to the business and not employed in any capacity by any other company
Does the program focus on specific sectors or geographies?
We are sector agnostic and are open to early-stage idea from across the country
Can a single founder apply to the program?
Yes, We accept applications from solo founders. That said, our advice remains that one-person startups are tough and you are more likely to succeed with a co-founder.
I have two ideas? Can I submit two applications?
Each applicant must apply with a single idea
I applied for the program previously. Can I re-apply?
You can apply to the Women Startup Program 2020 if you meet the eligibility criteria. Please highlight any additional information on your progress from your application for a previous cohort, to improve your chances of selection
How much equity will NSRCEL take from my startup?
NSRCEL does not take equity from ventures part of the Women Startup Program.
When can I apply?
Applications are currently open. Click on Apply Now button to register your interest and follow us on our social media handles for updates.
What stage should the startup be in to be eligible?
Ideation stage and early-stage start-ups that demonstrate the potential to innovate, implement and create impact.
Where will the program take place?
All the activities related to Launchpad (pre-incubation) will be conducted online. We will be introducing to you certain tools and platforms during the induction session to facilitate all the activities.
How much does it cost to apply or participate in the program?
The participants will not be charged any fee to participate in the program
What do we look for in an applicant?
Founders are required to be committed to their idea full-time and must demonstrate the ability and entrepreneurial mindset to build and grow an organization.
Do I need to be present for the entire duration of the program?
We recommend that at least one of the founders attend the sessions and activities organised as part Launchpad and Incubation to benefit from the sessions and workshops designed for the program.