The WeScale program is dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs who are ready to scale their ventures with purpose and confidence. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by women in business, WeScale offers a supportive environment where growth barriers are addressed, and potential is nurtured.
Women-led businesses are making significant contributions to India’s economy. As of October 2024, there are over 73,000 startups in India with at least one woman director, highlighting the increasing participation of women in entrepreneurship. Additionally, women-owned MSMEs constitute approximately 20% of India’s total MSMEs, employing millions and contributing to various sectors. However, much needs to be done in this space for a truly Viksit India.
Despite these advancements, women entrepreneurs still face challenges like limited access to funding and resources. In 2023, the total funding raised by women-founded startups in India saw a significant decline, underscoring the need for targeted support and initiatives
WeScale is more than a program, it’s a commitment to fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. By joining, women founders gain access to mentorship, resources, and a network that understands and supports their unique challenges.
The WeCAP program (Women’s Empowerment and Career Accelerator Program) is NEF’s flagship initiative to support mid-career women professionals in breaking barriers and rising as leaders. Despite women making up 48% of university graduates, only 33% enter the workforce at entry-level roles, and representation falls further to 24% at managerial positions. The leadership pipeline remains thin, with just 17% of women reaching the C-suite and holding 20% of board seats in India. This “broken rung” not only stalls careers but also constrains India’s economic potential.
Research shows that companies with greater gender diversity in leadership deliver 50% higher profits after tax, and that India needs an additional 400 million women in the workforce by 2047 to add $14 trillion to the economy. The question is not whether women should rise – it’s how quickly we can enable it. WeCAP aims to provide that pathway.
Through WeCAP, NEF is not just enabling women professionals to thrive, it is driving the cultural change India needs, where women’s growth at work is celebrated as central to our journey toward Viksit Bharat.
We are building an ecosystem where senior citizens thrive by sharing their expertise to nurture entrepreneurs, professionals, and communities, and shaping dialogue and action towards sustainability, inclusion, and a Viksit India.
Buddy Wiz is NEF’s dedicated mentoring and career support online platform designed to power entrepreneurial and professional journeys. It brings together students, professionals, and entrepreneurs with mentors, curated resources, and opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute. As NEF’s overarching platform for all mentoring initiatives, Buddy Wiz ensures structured guidance, meaningful connections, and measurable impact.
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