Small women entrepreneurs from Northeast participate in empowerment bootcamp by US Consulate in Kolkata

 At least 30 business development experts, government officials, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders from diverse sectors including tourism, food, and crafts, trained them on skill developments, financial inclusion and social media marketing among other hacks.

The final bootcamp for Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) was conducted at the American Center by the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata, in partnership with non-profit Contact Base. 

Launched in 2019 by the U.S. Department of State, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme aims to empower women worldwide by providing them with essential knowledge, networks, and resources to launch and grow successful businesses.

Speaking on the occasion, Kathy Giles-Diaz, Consul General of US in Kolkata, said, "The AWE program and the bootcamps you have participated in is a first step—a critical first step—toward ensuring that every woman who wants to start or build her own business has access to the support and tools she needs.”

The  bootcamp in Kolkata marked the completion of this project in Tripura and Mizoram.

There was a panel discussion on ways to strengthen local economies by supporting nano enterprises.

Moderated by Quazi Rumman Dastgir, Consul for Political and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata, the panel featured Dr Mou Sen, Joint Director, MSME(HQ) WB Govt; Goutam Poddar, Asst. Director, MSME-DFO, Kolkata and other officials together, discussing the roles of government, MFIs, and business incubation programmes in empowering women-led nano enterprises in rural areas, along with policy recommendations and strategies for growth.

Sessions on digital finance and business record-keeping were led by the experts.

The talented entrepreneurs showcased their products and business catalogues to potential buyers and stakeholders and pitched their products to a panel of experts, which included Prof. Sharmishtha Banerjee from Calcutta University, Prof. Sayantani Roy Chowdhury from Praxis Business School, Suman Mukhopadhyay and Ananya Bhattacharya from Contact Base, along with Ruchi M Mittal from HEN India.

"From access to capital and mentorship, to training and networking, you are part of a growing number of women who are creating pathways for success. We are so honored to be part of your entrepreneurship journey, and are excited to see all you will accomplish." U.S Consul General Kathy Giles-Diaz added.

Additionally, a session on Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) regulations and procedures was conducted by Kalyan Khan from Unizap and Piyali Roy Oberoi from EastIndiaRetail.com.

This cohort of entrepreneurs join the hundreds of women in India who have already taken part in AWE programmes, and join more than 25,000 AWE graduates in more than 100 countries around the globe.

This cohort of entrepreneurs join the hundreds of women in India who have already taken part in AWE programmes, and join the more than 25,000 AWE graduates in more than 100 countries from around the world.