Indian start-up ecosystem not so fair? Only 14% businesses run by women

The 2018 Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE) ranks India 52 out of 57 countries. Inspite of being the third* largest start-up ecosystem in the world, only 14%** of Indian businesses are run by women.

Female entrepreneurs answer the question, "Is the start-up ecosystem unfavourable to women entrepreneurs?"

MALVIKA KHAJURIA, GURUGRAM

I don’t think that the start-up ecosystem is unfavourable for women entrepreneurs, but I do believe that it is difficult for women. Also, there are not enough role models for women when it comes to entrepreneurship.

SHIVAJI DASGUPTA, GURUGRAM

I strongly believe that the start-up ecosystem is unfavourable to women entrepreneurs. Primarily, there is still a belief among funders and other stakeholders that women entrepreneurs are not equipped to stay the long haul, which is untrue.


MANPREET KAUR
I am a start-up entrepreneur and have hands down experience to state that India needs to move leaps and bounds for supporting entrepreneurship for women. Our economic and sociocultural fabric is so lopsided that even if a woman entrepreneur wishes to grow and expand, it is difficult.

SHIKHA TRIPATHI
The start-up ecosystem in terms of opportunities and government policies are favourable for women. The real challenge is family support. Women continuously live with the expectation of managing both the business and the household, which is not applicable to men.

A mentor who inspired me!
“The mentor who inspired me is Lavina Karkera. While I was studying engineering, I started a blog of my own. From helping me learn how to operate a DSLR camera to proofreading my blog posts, she did everything to support and motivate me. That year was indeed tough, but she made it better. I thank her for all her advice.”
— Swastica Swapn @aposs_

*The Fourth Wheel 2018 Private Equity in the Corporate Landscape by Grant Thorton
**Sixth Economic Census by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO)

The Economic Times Women’s Forum
Partnered by Facebook, the Forum promises to be a fast-paced, multimedia extravaganza. It’s a gathering of diverse and influential women of impact from India and abroad.
8 February 2019, Mumbai
To request an invite, visit www.etwomensforum.com

Time’s Up! Women Leaders On Notions That Need To Be Junked

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The idea of the aggressive male has to be challenged.

— Cherie Blair, Founder, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women.

The idea of the aggressive male has to be challenged. — Cherie Blair, Founder, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women.

If we want to free up time for women to be more active in the work force, that means a changed role for men as well. They need to take more responsibility at home. Cheer on for those guys.

— Kristina Jullum Hagen, Head, Labour Market and Social Affairs, Conf. of Norwegian Industries

If we want to free up time for women to be more active in the work force, that means a changed role for men as well. They need to take more responsibility at home. Cheer on for those guys. — Kristin..

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It is not a maledominated world anymore.

— Devita Saraf, CEO, Vu TV

It is not a maledominated world anymore. — Devita Saraf, CEO, Vu TV

The time has come to do something, to channel all emotion and angst, and call it to action.

—Sonal Agrawal, Managing Partner, Accord India

The time has come to do something, to channel all emotion and angst, and call it to action. —Sonal Agrawal, Managing Partner, Accord India

People are always telling young girls, ‘It’s late, go home now. You are a girl. Why are you still playing?’ It’s time now for them to play as much as they like to.

— Prashanti Singh, Basketball Player

People are always telling young girls, ‘It’s late, go home now. You are a girl. Why are you still playing?’ It’s time now for them to play as much as they like to. — Prashanti Singh, Basketball Play..

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It’s time people stop telling women that they have to have children.

— Radhika Vaz, Comedian

It’s time people stop telling women that they have to have children. — Radhika Vaz, Comedian

Intolerance of different leadership styles and assuming that only your way is right.

— Elizabeth Coffey MD, Spark Leadership

Intolerance of different leadership styles and assuming that only your way is right. — Elizabeth Coffey MD, Spark Leadership

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