Whether you’re just starting out, facing a growth hurdle, or simply seeking inspiration, joining a community can be a game-changer for your entrepreneurial journey.
Why Women Entrepreneurs in India Need Communities?
- Participation Gap: Only around 13.76% of business establishments in India are owned and run by women. (Sixth Economic Census, 2014)
- Funding Disparity: In 2021, Women-led start-ups received only 0.3% of venture capital funding in India. (livemint.com)
- Growth Challenges: Women-owned businesses are predominantly microenterprises, with over 99% of MSMEs falling into this category. (NITI Aayog Report)
- Social Barriers: Traditional gender roles and societal expectations create unique challenges for women entrepreneurs, limiting access to resources and networks.
How Communities Empower Women Entrepreneurs in India?
- Mentorship & Knowledge: Communities provide access to experienced entrepreneurs who can guide and support women through common business obstacles.
- Networking & Collaboration: Expanding your network within these communities fosters potential partnerships, strategic alliances, and new business opportunities.
- Access to Resources: Communities often partner with organizations and institutions to offer funding opportunities, training programs, and other resources tailored to women-led businesses.
- Moral Support & Community: The sense of belonging and support within these communities can be crucial for navigating challenges and celebrating successes.
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Ready to find your tribe?
Here are some fantastic communities that are more than just groups; they're supportive networks designed to empower and uplift fellow female business owners.
Communities for Women Entrepreneurs in India to Explore:
1. Her Entrepreneurial Network (HEN):
- Dynamic Community: Connecting Indian women entrepreneurs for support, knowledge sharing, and mutual encouragement.
- Networking & Learning: Offers weekly meetings, workshops, and seminars to facilitate relationship building and skill development.
- Mentorship: Provides access to entrepreneurs for guidance and insights.
- Access to tools: HEN membership grants access to essential tools (payment, logistics, design), expert networks, vibrant communities, and talent pool, empowering businesses to thrive.
Membership: HEN offers four flexible membership plans. This includes:
- HEN EXPERIENCE, providing a free 1-month trial,
- HEN COMMUNITY, priced at ₹3000+tax/year,
- HEN NETWORK at ₹6000+tax/year,
- and HEN POWER CIRCLE at ₹10200+tax/year.
2. Ladies Who Lead (LWL):
- Diverse & Inclusive: Welcomes women entrepreneurs from various backgrounds and fosters a supportive environment for collaboration.
- Membership Benefits: Offers exclusive events, communication platforms, and brand partnerships.
- Flexible & Welcoming: Open to entrepreneurs of all stages with no mandatory commitments and free events across cities.
Membership: LWL offers
- LAP, priced at ₹7000 + GST/year
- Titans, priced at ₹110000 + GST/year.
- Maverick Membership, priced at ₹45000 + GST/year
- Global Access Membership, priced at $400 + GST/year
- UAE Membership, priced at $760 + GST/year
Various benefits like coaching, network access, and exclusive privileges are provided depending on the membership tier. Membership applications range from interview-based selection to a one-step process based on the selected tier.
3. Leap.Club:
- Strong Network: Facilitates connections and friendships through in-person and online events, workshops, and hobby-based circles.
- Curated Learning: Provides expert-led workshops, talks, and sessions on diverse topics for professional and personal growth.
- Active Online Community: Connects members with a platform to share knowledge, network, and register for events.
Membership: Leap.Club offers a one-year membership for ₹2500 plus tax, granting access to a network designed for women to build professional connections and friendships.
Members can participate in 3-4 flagship offline events in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, or Bengaluru.
4. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI FLO):
- Extensive Reach: Represents women entrepreneurs and professionals through 19 chapters across India.
- Entrepreneurial Support: Conducts grassroots programs to empower women with skills and knowledge, promotes women in leadership roles.
Membership: FICCI offers a 12-month individual membership for women entrepreneurs in trade, commerce, and industry.
The application requires nomination from a current member and final approval from the Governing Body.
The total cost, including an application fee, membership fee, and GST, comes to ₹24,780/year.
5. Engineering Manufacturer Entrepreneurs Resource Group (eMERG):
- Professional Network: Connects women in tech, business, and engineering for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
- Skills & Growth: Offers training programs and trade delegations for national and international exposure.
- Business Support: Provides assistance with showcasing businesses, mentorship, and policy advocacy.
Membership: eMERG offers a range of flexible membership options.
- Individuals and businesses can choose between 1-year and lifetime memberships, starting at ₹1,200 per year, with access to events and business opportunities.
- Institutions can benefit from a 3-year membership package for 5 nominees at ₹15,000.
- Patrons can enjoy an extensive 10-year membership for ₹100,000.
- Additionally, Network Members can avail a 2-year free provisional membership.
6. Womennovator:
- Global Support: Offers training, scaling, and distribution assistance to female entrepreneurs worldwide.
- Empowerment & Recognition: Focuses on empowering women across various roles and celebrating their achievements.
- Gender Equality: Supports UN SDG 5 to facilitate women’s global impact and create inclusive business ecosystems.
Membership: Explore various options to join Womennovator, such as:
- leading or joining a community, becoming a reseller,
- upskilling through their programs,
- showcasing products in their virtual shop,
- and attending events to connect with the community.
- Womennovator offers both annual and lifetime membership plans.
- The annual membership costs ₹2,000,
- while the lifetime membership costs ₹25,000.
- Corporate annual individual memberships are also available for ₹11,800,
- and corporate lifetime memberships for ₹59,000.
For specific details and to start the joining process, reach out directly to Womennovator through their official channels or website.
7. Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE):
- Marketing & Mentorship: Offers marketing programs, mentorship opportunities, and workshops to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
- Supported Initiatives: Provides access to programs backed by corporates and government entities for additional resources.
Membership: COWE offers diverse membership options for individuals, institutions, and artisans.
- Registration Fee : Rs.100/-
- Annual Member: Rs. 2000 + (GST@ 18%)
- Life Membership: Rs. 15000 + (GST@ 18%)
8. Federation of Indian Women Entrepreneurs (FIWE):
- Mentorship & Funding: Connects entrepreneurs with mentors and provides access to potential funding sources.
- Policy & Global Network: Offers insights on policy advocacy and facilitates connections with over 15,000 women entrepreneurs worldwide.
Membership: FIWE offers diverse membership options for individuals, institutions, and artisans.
Choose from:
- Annual Basic (₹3,000 + ₹1,000 registration),
- Associate (₹5,000 + ₹1,000 registration),
- Charter (₹25,000 + ₹5,000 entry),
- Corporate (₹10,000 + ₹5,000 entry),
- and Lifetime (₹250,000 + ₹5,000 entry) memberships.
- Specialized memberships for Artisans and Students (₹100) are also available.
FAQs
Women’s communities provide valuable opportunities to connect with experienced mentors and peers who have already achieved success and are willing to guide others. These groups foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support, helping members overcome challenges and grow personally and professionally.
For example, HEN India offers a structured platform where women entrepreneurs can access mentorship, networking events, and resources to scale their businesses while balancing life’s demands.
Women’s communities play a critical role in empowering members by facilitating access to information, education, and skill development.
They create a supportive environment where women can unlearn limiting beliefs, acquire new knowledge, and open doors to opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible.
This collective empowerment helps women build confidence, economic independence, and social capital, which are vital for changing societal norms and achieving gender equality.
Women contribute profoundly to society by providing emotional support, care, and nurturing within families, which is fundamental to child development and community well-being.
Beyond caregiving, women actively participate in economic activities, education, politics, and social activism, shaping India’s progress. Their multifaceted roles make them indispensable agents of social change and development.
India hosts diverse women’s communities catering to entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and homemakers. These include entrepreneurial networks like HEN India, social support groups, professional associations, and advocacy organizations.
Most communities welcome women from various industries and stages of their careers, offering customized programs to meet different aspirations and challenges.
Women’s communities tackle issues such as gender discrimination, limited access to education and healthcare, and social norms restricting women’s mobility and decision-making.
By fostering solidarity and collective voice, these groups advocate for policy reforms, raise awareness, and provide safe spaces for women to share experiences and solutions. This collective action is crucial for sustainable social transformation
Empowering women economically through communities leads to increased participation in the workforce, entrepreneurship, and leadership roles.
This contributes to overall economic growth, poverty reduction, and improved family welfare. Women-led businesses often reinvest in their communities, creating a ripple effect of social and economic development.
Programs like HEN India’s workshops and mentorship help women build sustainable businesses and access new markets
Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Community
The Indian landscape for women entrepreneurs is brimming with vibrant communities offering diverse support systems.
Whether you seek professional networking, skill development, mentorship, or a safe space for collaboration, there’s a community waiting to welcome you.
Explore, connect, and leverage the power of these communities to empower your entrepreneurial journey and thrive as you rewrite the narrative for women in business.
Explore, connect, and leverage the power of these communities to empower your entrepreneurial journey and thrive as you rewrite the narrative for women in business.
