Training of rural women entrepreneurs: NSRCEL, the incubation centre of IIM Bangalore, has partnered with the Karnataka State Rural Livelihood Promotion Society (KSRLPS), to launch the Swalambane program. Under the Swalambane program, the partnership will support women-led non-farm businesses in rural Karnataka, as per a release by the NSRCEL. The program is oriented towards supporting rural women-led microbusinesses across Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns of Karnataka by providing a supportive ecosystem to engage with large markets, provide financial sustainability, and generate employment opportunities.
NSRCEL received more than 4,000 applications for the program, of which 150 rural women entrepreneurs were shortlisted through venture profiling and a challenge fund competition. The program will provide them with networking opportunities and financial support. The program is backed by the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) under the National Rural Economic Transformation Project, funded by the World Bank.
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Anand Sri Ganesh, CEO of NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore, said, “Karnataka’s entrepreneurial landscape is renowned for its tech-led innovation and for its incredible grassroots entrepreneurship. Areas like silk, toys, jewellery and food products have global recognition. And women have been the driving force behind this. The Swavalambane program catalyses this of growth for women entrepreneurs by facilitating access to resources, funds, skill development, mentorship, and networking opportunities. We are excited to welcome these 150 enterprises into the NSRCEL family and enable growth and success”
Under the program, women entrepreneurs would be provided with training, mentorship programs, and financial assistance. The objective is to formalise these businesses, increase revenue by 15 per cent, and replicate a business model that can be applied across Karnataka and other states by the National Rural Economic Transformation Project.
In July this year, Tata Technologies, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, proposed opening three Common Engineering Facilities Centers (CEFCs) in Karnataka to support MSMEs in the state with an investment of approximately Rs 2,000 crore.
